Crime Records

Thursday, December 26, 2013

SENERON - ORDER RESTORED E.P. - REVIEW


Band: Seneron
Album Title: Order Restored E.P.
Label:SO Records
Genre: Alternative/Grunge
Country: Ireland
Release Date: March 25, 2013


Founded in 2011, “Order Restored” is the second E.P. this alternative/grunge metal band has released. Seneron is quickly becoming a permanent fixture in the Hard Rock/Metal scene, after first taking the underground by gripping force. Straight out of Ireland, Seneron mixes a harsh metal feel laced in just enough dulcet tones that will keep your blood pumping. Metal Trails described Seneron the best, “Hard rock of a different kind.”

This E.P. caught my attention from the moment I pressed play. Their anthem type lyrics and engaging guitar solos brought me back to the sound of early Foo Fighters mixed with dynamic strumming you would expect from Unsung Zeros. The band's biography states,”They combine vitriolic riffery and edgy hooks to create their unique sound.” I could not agree more with that statement.

The two songs that stood out to me most on this E.P. were “Stand Your Ground” and “Just a Kid.” Ivor Ferris (vocals) has an idiosyncratic tone to his voice that powers through the music without being overpowering. John Shields (vox and guitars) transitions effortlessly between heavy, long, power riffs to easy listening type strumming. The drummer ,John Hamilton, makes his mark on the album by standing out periodically throughout every song giving sporadic glimpses into the bands hard rock foundation. I was impressed by how well this three man band melded together so flawlessly.

The track list consists of four songs, clocking in at 15 minutes and 22 seconds long.

1. Please Me
2. Stand Your Ground
3. Dead Stare
4. Just a Kid

I give this E.P. a 7 out of 10. I am looking forward to a full-length album by Seneron.
(SarahLynne)



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Tuesday, December 24, 2013

Trivium - Vengeance Falls - Review



Band: Trivium
Album Title: Vengeance Falls
Label: Road Runner
Genre: Thrash Metal
Country: United States
Release Date: October 9, 2013


When I was in high school, a friend of mine decided to introduce me to a band named Trivium. Knowing I love brutal riffs and excellent guitar work in solos, he was very confident that I would like the band. He introduced me to the band with the song 'A Gunshot to the Head of Trepidation' and when I heard the solo for the first time, I was sold. So after years of being a huge fan of the band, I get the privilege of reviewing their latest album. Lets take take a gander.
This album is produced by Disturbed's front-man David Draimen and he delivers a solid performance. During one song it seems like front-man and rhythm guitarist Matt Heafy was trying to sound like David, which was probably heavily influenced by David. The album starts off with a great opening track titled Brave This Storm. The track immediately sets the pace for the rest of the album that this is a thrash metal album.
Trivium delivers a performance throughout the album that is very "Trivium" in their sound that us fans have come to expect from the group. I was mildly surprised by the new drummer and how well he has clicked into the band and molded his playing style to be Trivium and be that element that doesn't takes away from the group as a whole. Two of my favorite tracks are Through Blood and Dirt and Bone and Villainy Thrives. Excellent lyrics and instrumental work on the tracks and I believe they're the premiere tracks of the album. Matt Heafy primarily sings more and utilizes cleaner vocals than he has in previous albums. Its apparent to see that he and the band have taken a different direction in their sound with their last two albums, but still hold true to what Trivium is.
While the album is a great album it does have it's moments where it sounded like the previous album In Waves, but that feeling only comes around during 1 or 2 tracks and doesn't stick during the entire track which is always a welcome feeling. I hold their Shogun album is the best metal album since Master of Puppets, so my expectations for the band are extremely high. This album is better than In Waves but not better than Shogun, but honestly, Shogun would be extremely difficult to top as it is a masterpiece of metal. If you are a fan of Trivium, you need to listen to this album.

I give the album an 8.5 out of 10.

Track List:

1. Brave This Storm
2. Vengeance Falls
3. Strife
4. No Way To Heal
5. To Believe
6. At The End Of This War
7. Through Blood and Dirt and Bone
8. Villainy Thrives
9. Incineration: The Broken World
10. Wake (The End is Nigh)

(Special Edition)
11. No Hope For The Human Race
12. As I am Exploding
13. Skulls...We Are 138

(Ne\m/esis)

                                            

                                                                  
                                                       


Monday, December 23, 2013

Fade-Out - Welcome To My Hell -Review





                                                                                 
Band: Fade-Out
Album Title: Welcome To My Hell
Label: Fono Ltd.
Genre: NuMetal
Country: Russia
Release Date: June 2013

While listening to the debut album by Fade-Out, “Welcome To My Hell”, I was hoping for something that would shred my standards for the Metal sub-genre Nu Metal. Keeping in mind that bands such as Mushroomhead and Korn paved the way and put up impenetrable road blocks at the end of the road of Nu Metal. I was hoping Fade-Out would give me a  refreshing perspective and annihilate said road blocks. I was sadly mistaken.

Fade-Out is a female fronted band straight from Russia that was formed in 2007. “Welcome To My Hell” the bands debut album, was released in June 2013. This album was first laid out to be a Gothic Metal Album, but after recording a few singles, the band decided to change their style to Nu Metal.

As for the music, I do not know what I could even begin to say, to make this album sound appealing. The only notable song on this album was “Twitch for Threads” and that was a far cry from anything I would recommend to listeners that are already not very fond of Nu Metal. The death growls that were being bellowed above the sounds of a low tuned seven string guitar were oddly similar to Spineshank. If Spineshank could ever possibly sound this horribly produced. “Welcome To My Hell” was the perfect name for this album, because that is exactly what it was, hell to listen to. I am going to predict that this album will stand true to the bands name, and Fade-Out.

Here is the track list. This album clocks in at 00:34:54 long.

1. Fade In (Intro.)
2. Welcome To My Hell
3. I realize
4. Jump!
5. Ultima Ratio
6. Don't Shoot
7. Five Seconds
8. Twitch For Threads
9. Annihilation Tool
10. Five Seconds (Russian Version)
11. Three Colours (Bonus fan-track)

I am going to give this album a whopping 3 out of 10.
(SarahLynne)



                 

Sunday, December 22, 2013

Bog-Morok Industrialypse Review


Band: Bog-Morok
Album Title: Industrialypse
Label: More Hate Productions
Genre: Industrial
Country: Russia
Release Date: October 2013

This review disc comes courtesy of GlobMetal Promotions <-- FB Link

Since I'm on a run of foreign bands quite a bit lately, especially Russian which is fine by me. And I typically find foreign bands usually have a better sound than most domestic bands most times. Bog-Morok hail from exactly that country as some other bands I listen to like Biopsyhoz, Hammerforce (see that review here ). Anyways since I'm accustomed to the industrial metal sounds of the latter Biopsyhoz  , Bog-Morok hit a sweet note with this reviewer. Granted vocals styles are differnt. But Bog-Morok sound impressive to say the least.

Had to do some research on them, the bio sheet that came with the release was somewhat of a help. They started out as a one man project back in 1997 by Morok wanting to make fast, loud and technically sophisticated music. Anyways, they have 4 or 5 other studio albums. And a live release available for free as well from what I read. They've had numerous line-up changes, musical style changes like so many bands do over the years, which is natural.

Back to the review itself, it has industrial/electronica elements, some mellow moments in it going back to the heavier parts. It has clean vocals in parts, etc. Somewhat in the style of what Fear Factory does, they do share similiar elements on their music styles. And by some chance you aren't familiar with Fear Factory or never heard them... you've been living under a rock sad to say. Time to dig out the metal history books and do some research kids. They also somewhat remind me of a couple of local bands in my area, which the names escape me currently. But it's all good.

Anyways, the music itself sound top notch, guitars are heavy, drums kick ass, bass is heavy when needed. And the soundclips, and keyboard elements fit perfectly where they need to. Vocals are pretty solid and clear. Some are in english, some in russian. They alternate on different songs, are one song then the other. Nothing is drowned out in the mixing/production of this recording. Obviously as technolgy keeps getting better, so do the recordings usually. There's a decent batch that stuck with me, the opening track Industrialypse, track 2 Glisese 581d, Track 4 Niezbezhnost' among a couple of others.

The 12 tracks are as follow, just clocks in just under 55 minutes -

1. Industrialypse
2. Gliese 581d
3. Не Вижу Зла (Stadiae III)
4. Neizbezhnost'
5. Hellstarter
6. Shapeshifter
7. Bloodsucker
8. Свет В Конце Тоннеля
9. Звездопад
10. IDDQD
11. Undream
12. Der Golem (Fantomas cover)

I give this review, 7 out of 10 stars could of been a little longer in my opinion, it goes by quite fast I think. The somewhat mellower parts don't stand out as much as the rest of the cd in my opinion. Could of kept it heavy throughout I think. But in anycase, for those that like industrial music like this, I would recommend it to them without a second thought. So go check them out, what contact pages I could find are listed below. Enjoy.



Band Contact:

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Bog-Morok/126796064065588
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/bogmorokband?feature=watch
Reverbnation: http://www.reverbnation.com/bogmorok
CDBaby: http://www.cdbaby.com/Artist/BogMorok

Saturday, December 14, 2013

Orchid - The Zodiac Sessions Review

Band: Orchid
Album: The Zodiac Sessions
Label: Nuclear Blast
Country: United States
Release Date: November 18, 2013






Orchid, a well known doom metal band, surged onto the airwaves in 2007 out of San Francisco, California. It is fair to say that Orchid is taking over with crippling force. Their music is reminiscent of some of the greatest names in metal Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin, and Pink Floyd. The lyrics from their song “Eyes Behind the Wall,” come to mind when describing Orchid, “You were born to save us from ourselves.” I think it is fair to say that they are fiercely reviving some of the greatest parts of metal, and adding their own influential twist to the genre.  While reading through the bands biography a statement that was made by “Rock Hard’s” Gotz Künemund stated, “I have witnessed the coolest band in many years. ORCHID has managed to blow away everything in their path. They were really the best band and their album Capricorn is a stroke of genius, a superb record that never leaves my player!”


As for their music, I found myself getting lost in numerous head banging sessions. The band has managed to revamp two of their best albums and pull them together onto one awesome compilation. The band compliments each other well. I appreciated the fact that the vocals of Theo Mindell were rarely overtaken by the music. Guitarist Mark Thomas shred through the album leaving me a bit dizzy from his talent. I was stoked by how much he stood out on this compilation, even on some of their slower paced songs. Keith Nickel the bands bass player added a hard rock edge to the music, which I found it to be refreshing, paired with what drum bashing insanity I heard from Carter Kennedy. I have to be in honest in saying I do not have anything negative to say about this album. 


The album clocks in at 01:04:58 long. Here is the track list.


1. Eyes Behind the Wall

2. Capricorn
3. Black Funeral
4. Masters of It all
5. Down Into the Earth
6. He Who Walks Alone
7. Cosmonaut of Three
8. Electric Father
9. Albatross
10. Into the Sun
11. Eastern Woman
12. Son of Misery
13. No One Makes a Sound

I have to raise my horns to Orchid and give this album 8 out of 10.

(SarahLynne)





Friday, December 13, 2013

Album Review : Seventh Swamphony by Kalmah



   
1.       Seventh Swamphony                05:10      
2.       Deadfall                                03:52   
3.       Pikemaster                                    05:04   
4.       Hollo                                                   07:20         
5.       Windlake Tale                                04:28   
6.       Wolves on the Throne               04:36        
7.       Black Marten's Trace              04:45         
8.       The Trapper                                06:02


“Seventh Swamphony” is the seventh full length by Finnish melodic death metal gods, Kalmah. Again, the band has shown us what it is capable of. The lineup of the album is just amazing. The wonderful combination of heavy vocals , fast heavy guitar solos infused with melodies (keyboard) which go very well with the vocals and the guitars , is something everyone will love to hear all day . Albums don’t come better than this !

Even though the band is still decidedly guitar-oriented: brothers & guitarists Antti and Pekka Kokko continue to intensify their technicality, and Seventh Swamphony slams riff after riff in true Kalmah fashion, pairing exuberant melodies with an abrasive whiff of black metal and a raucous hint of groove. The keyboard solos delivered by Veli-Matti Kananen would make you sit down and listen the whole album again and again. Guitar and keyboard go so well in this album that sometimes you would be confused that solo playing at that moment is on guitar or keyboard.

Most of the songs start with a very melodious tune which just sets the pace , the tune and the mood but when the guitars and the heavy vocals come crashing down you will be amazed how awesome the songs are.  The song ‘Hollo’ has a bit of clean vocals but that really didn’t make much difference to the song. Personally saying the best song of the album was ‘Deadfall’. The amazing melody which goes throughout the song will keep you glued to the song , the vocals and the guitars also do an amazing job in keeping up with melody .

The weak point of the album is the unnecessary drumming the some part of the songs like the ‘Black Marten's Trace ’. The kick drum doesn’t race with the same enthusiasm it did on the last two
Kalmah records, and treble overwhelms the compositions in especially busy sections. Another weak point is that Pekka’s vocals get buried under the instrumentation, and his vocalizations are powerful but all too often unremarkable in terms of tone.

Overall the album is a pretty good album. It’s a skillfully crafted continuation of their previous efforts. The album is really worth listening a hundred times, especially the song ‘Deadfall’.


Rating – 9.5 / 10




Tuesday, December 3, 2013

Switchblade - Heavy Weapsons Review




Band: Switchblade
Album: Heavy Weapons
Label: Killer Metal Records
Country: Israel
Release Date: November 29, 2013

Switchblade hails from Israel and so far only two other bands I've actually listened to from that country are Salem and Melechesh which are both top notch bands in my books. Obviously all 3 are different genres from metal Salem being more death/thrash and Melechesh being black metal. Switchblade is more your standard 80's rock/metal band.

As Switchblade's bio says they're not trying to reinvent metal but keep the fires burning of the old 80's styles. Going by what this reviewer's ears pick up it's very apparent. Their singer Lior "Steinmetal" Stein reminds me of a cross of Bruce Dickinson (If you don't know who he sings for, go crawl back under your rock.). Also I hear hints of Michael Kiske from Helloween mixed in as well especially for the higher vocal parts. There are some decent gang choruses mixed in as well. Certainly refreshing to say the least compared to all the death, black and grind metal bands out there.

Far as the music goes, it's classic 80's metal like the above mentioned bands. The music doesn't overpower the singer, though sometimes the singer does overpower the music in the mix, but not by much. Did hear a few riffs that sounded similiar to the band Salem. For those that enjoy the 80's rock/metal like all those diehards that grew up with bands like that. You'll instantly fall in love the tunes, and be dragging out your denim jackets/vests with Priest/Maiden patches strewn about the back of it. Though save yourself some embarassment, leave the denim in the closet/chest you put it in, probably 10 times too small for you now though. The solos, fit in where they should and of decent length, the drummer sounds pretty skilled behind his kit. The bass sound clear, and on some of the mellower/slower songs, has a good sound.

The tracklist goes as follows below. It clocks in at just over 39 minutes. It just about average as most cds goes these days.

Tracklist:

01 - Heavy Weapons
02 - Euphoria
03 - Metalista
04 - Lost Lovers Unite
05 - The Lost Kingdom
06 - Infernal Paradise
07 - Curse Of The Father, Sins Of The Son
08 - Into The Unknown
09 - Endless War

I would recommend this album to pretty much anyone that loves the 80's metal. Or to some of the newer fans that want something a bit more modern before I go digging out the older Maiden/Priest collection. Mainly for me, I'd just be lazy, and wouldn't feel digging out my old cassettes of those classic bands. Yes, I grew up in those days of cassettes and vinyl. So bands like Switchblade do make me miss my junior high and high school days. But also makes me realize how old I am too... They will bring back nostalgia for fans. I'd give it 8 out of 10 score.


Band Contact:
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SwitchbladesOfSteel
Label Killer Metal Records: http://www.killermetalrecords.de/

Video Clip:


Monday, November 25, 2013

AfterBlood - Of Unsound Minds Review




Band: AfterBlood
Album: Of Unsound Minds
Genre: Death Metal
Label: Self-Released
Country: Athens, Greece
Release Date: November 22, 2013

 Well I've been waiting for "Of Unsound Minds" for a bit now since I first heard "Mission of Aggression" from the Lost in Chaos #5 Female Front Death Metal compilation/digitalzine earlier this year (free cd 24 tracks & pdf mag)  I wound up inquiring as to the release of the full disc and was told sometime in November. Few days ago  found via AfterBlood’s Facebook, it was coming out on November 22nd. So I decided to inquire about doing a review a few days prior, to which I temporarily forgot I asked about. The good ol C.R.S (Can’t Remember S**t) kicking in.  Release day, zero funds in PayPal, that ruled out BandCamp still wasn't on Amazon/Google Play as of yet. I avoid iTunes like the plague as it is. Google Play had it the next morning, I billed it to my carrier, T-Mobile. Thank you carrier billing!  Then a few minutes or so later I get an email back from their vocalist Hel Pyre with the version from BandCamp with the hidden 12th track. So Christmas came early for me... And yet supporting the band as well via the Google Play purchase. The things we do for metal. 

Enough of my rambling, onto the review shall we. There’s  more and more all female, or female-fronted bands surging ahead of the pack. And some even blow the guys out of the water vocally. Just some of the ones I do listen to Demonic Christ, Cerebral Bore, Frantic Amber, Arch Enemy, etc. Now I have AfterBlood added to that list with vocalist Hel Pyre as the frontwoman. So due to the above mentioned compilation, I got hooked on “Mission of Aggression” that features Tom Angelripper from Sodom doing some guest vocals. I checked out the band’s site soon after and, was drawn in even more seeing Waldemar Sorychta was working on it. Pretty much just about anything he works on is pretty killer, Grip Inc, Samael, etc. AfterBlood’s site had two tracks for everyone’s listening pleasure “Mission of Aggression”, “Take”. So onto the full disc, it opens with “Take” which is a pretty killer track. Hel’s vocals at times reminds me of Dana Duffey from Demonic Christ, with a mix of Angela Gossow. But certainly not copying either one of them at all and doing her own thing and I enjoy that.  Couple of songs, she sounds like this demonic child which I like.

The music itself is solid, and clear as all the instruments can be heard in the mix and none of them overpowers the other, or the vocals. The guest vocals all fit great within the songs as Angelripper’s on  “Mission of Aggression” and Antony’s  on “The More I Lie”. I especially enjoy Angelripper’s vocals alongside Hel’s on “Mission..” certainly sounds like a good pairing and very fluid between both.  There’s several tracks on here that stick out to me as favorites, obviously like I mentioned, “Take, “Mission of Aggression”, “Beyond”, “The More I Lie”, and “Psychonic” the Kreator cover “Phobia” is a good cover and a good bonus track to be had. I know there's always some fans that are like or will be “nothing beats the original”. But I've heard some cover songs that beat the originals over the years. . 

The songs do flow smoothly from one to another, a couple of tracks have keyboard parts added for some atmosphere, either in the opening or in the middle of it. As quoted on their site “The perfect blend of aggression and darkness - Waldemar Sorychta” I certainly agree, there’s a lot of good dark parts and certainly some good melody/rhythm sections. The solos, are pretty good too, they fit the structure of the music and are not ridiculously long like some bands go for.  

 The tracklist is as follow:

1. Take
2. Before Time Runs Out
3. Mission of Aggression (feat Tom Angelripper/Sodom)
4. Thoughts of Black
5. Play Dead
6. Beyond (feat. Waldemar Sorychta)
7. Calling the Dead (Seance)
8. Helheim
9. The More I lie (feat Antony Hamalainen/ex-Nightrage)
10. Psychonic
11. Goodnight
12. Phobia (Bonus Track/Kreator)

Overall I find this cd good and solid I highly recommend it and give it an 9 out of 10 stars. Only reason I didn't give it a 10, was it wasn't long enough, well it was, but 42 minutes flew by faster than I realized. Anyways, go buy it and support the band they deserve it. 

Band Contact: 
Hel Pyre’s Official Site: http://helpyre.com/
Not only a killer vocalist.. She’s an amazing digital artist too.. Check out Hel @ Deviant Art 

 You can visit their site for more links, Twitter, Last.fm, etc. 


 YouTube album teaser:




Saturday, November 23, 2013

Review: The Mountain by Haken


Band: Haken
Album: The Mountain
Label: Century Media Music
Country: United Kingdom
Released: September 2nd

This album is my official introduction to Haken. Its been out a hot minute but I told HW I wanted to talk about it. There is something so grandiose here, so epic. The first time through on this album it cant all soak in. Buckle in, this is gonna take several spins. This album would be wonderful bundled in with Leprous' Coal, Shinings One One One, and Vulture Industries' The Tower as like companion pieces. 
 The composition is godly. The closest thing I can compare it to would be Frost* with some Steven Wilson. Every movement chorus and verse is so well put together. Every piece plays its part in the bigger picture. There is NOTHING throwaway here. There is no fear for experimentation on this disc and it never backfires. There are acapella parts. There are passages of jazz. 
 I hear a cornucopia of influences but nothing rips anyone off. I hear a good bit of Yes in Cockroach King ( I'd love to hear the bands 2 cents on this thought.) Maybe some Dream Theater and Porcupine Tree here and there. With any endeavour of this scale of course everyone is a total virtuoso on their respective instruments. The album overall is very nerdy for the musicians listening to this cd but it doesnt get boring for non musician ears. 
 Regarding the album the band members said this of the mountain:
"To us, 'The Mountain' is symbolic of our journey as a band, but also reflects the wider trials and tribulations of life. Lyrically, we've done a lot of soul searching which has given the album an emotional depth that we're sure listeners will really relate to, whatever personal mountain they are climbing.
Musically, the new songs feel rawer and more emotional than anything we've created in the past. All the essential elements of our sound are still there but have been delivered in a more gritty and focused style. We've really pushed ourselves in all areas and truly believe that this album is a step up from any of our previous work.."
 After checking out their other albums, Aquarius and Visions this makes total sense to me as well as a listener. Don't write them off either. The other 2 albums are a different beast entirely but also amazing. 
 I get a sense from my friends and forums this band has a lot of potential and is really catching on for us prog nerds. I hope they really get a lot of attention from this album. I see this as their sleeper that gets everyone really hyped for whatever comes next like when Dead Letter Circus did with their debut album. Now everyone wont shut the fuck about them although they wholeheartedly deserve it as well.
  But Haken also deserves that status as household name and I feel it in my gut hearing this album. Boys keep it up. You will go far. 
A VERY ENTHUSIASTIC 9.5 OUT OF 10
-Loganopolis

 

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Deicide - In The Minds of Evil Review



Band: Deicide
Album: In The Minds of Evil
Label: Century Media
Country: United States
Release date: November 25

Keep in mind this is a preview/promo version I'm listening to. The good ol' internet and it's vast resources. As everywhere from what I gather the release date is November 25th according to the Century Media's site it's the 26th.  Probably due to Thanksgiving coming up for most retailers, other than Amazon who will have it on the 25th. So go get your pre-orders in for it if you want it asap. Go here for CM Distro - http://smarturl.it/inthemindsofevilCMD   This cd being their second release for Century Media. And considering I own every other release of theirs, I can't wait to get my hands on the actual version.

The new Deicide "In The Minds of Evil" starts out with a good quote which is so true about politics and religion.  But I'm not delving into those arenas as I avoid both with a passion. But the quote is "Some men just want to watch world burn",  it's true though. Anyways, the cd clocks in just under 37 minutes which is a record I think as most of their cds fall under 30 minutes. Not only do you have the blazing guitars and the machine gun drumming.

On this cd, there's actually some melody mixed in with the music this time on some of the tunes.
Although I've heard melody creeping in since Owens and Santolla signed on. One band I would love to see live, but would require me leaving the state, as they can't tour Massachusetts unfortunately. Sucks though. Haven't seen them hit Rhode Island either oddly enough lately either.

Benton's vocals are still as sick as ever, and I don't see that changing anytime soon at all. Plus he is the band basically besides the drummer Steven Ashiem. Without them, it wouldn't be Deicide. Musically this cd is as brutal as their prior releases and  certainly bypasses some of the releases a few albums before. Granted nothing beats that claymation "Conviction" video, as perhaps the worst video of all time, it was also the funniest (obviously unintentional) in my opinion for music videos. But all their other videos certainly kick major ass.

For me stand out tracks are the title track and last one End the Wrath of God. But they're all good songs with some good music in them. All in all it's another solid Deicide release, and it's good that their not sounding like their earlier albums. Granted I still love "Once Upon the Cross". I think that's mainly due to the amazing artwork on the foldout booklet. If you have it. You know what I'm talking about on the artwork.

There's 11 tracks on the disc, the production certainly sounds clear, though you really don't hear Glen's bass too much unlike some of the older work where his bass would stick out in the mix. Anyways if you want your blasting and semi-melodic anti-christian death metal I recommend with and 7 out of 10 stars. Musically it's killer as always, just lyrically it tends to rehash the same content as prior albums.
They are leaders of the Florida death metal scene along other acts such as Death, Obituary to name some bands. Strangely enough like I read years ago, I'm surprised they haven't retired yet as Mr. Benton said in one interview in the past. But Heck, look at Ozzy he keeps coming out of retirement every year just about. It's the power of metal that draw people back to the folds.

Tracklist:

1 In the Minds of Evil
2 Thou Begone
3 Godkill
4 Beyond Salvation
5 Misery of One
6 Between the Flesh and the Void
7 Even the Gods Can Bleed
8 Trample the Cross
9 Fallen to Silence
10 Kill the Light of Christ
11 End the Wrath of God

Band Contact -

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OfficialDeicide
Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/theofficialdeicidemyspacepage
Last.FM: http://www.last.fm/music/Deicide


Saturday, November 16, 2013

Mygrain - Planetary Breathing Review


Band: Mygrain
Album: Planetary Breathing
Released: September 2013
Label: Spinefarm Records

Well here is a band that I have been following literally since the beginning back on Myspace! I will do my best to put bias aside and give the best review I can of this album. If you see anything I post on metalb0x you know I love Melodeath more than most. The fact that I was born in America and not Finland or Sweden is one of lifes great tragedies.
  If you dont like Melodeath this album will not change your mind. If you do partake in nasty double bass layered with keys and a mix of sing screams you should really dig the shit out of this album. If you followed Mygrain they certainly did not reinvent the wheel on this album except in a few places. The bass work has gone up a definitive notch with some pretty sick solos here and there as well. It is pretty refreshing in place of guitar solos in this genre.
The keyboards, while not overly christmassy like COB are still pretty in your face but I find this somehow tolerable in this band. Eve just really knows how to write a synth line IMHO. I'm pretty sure Natural Born Chaos by Soilwork is her writing bible in that regard.
   The rest of the album shines as well. the vocals as always are dead on in emotional delivery. The drums always are great on any Mygrain album.
It boils down to this: if you're a fan of Mygrain get on this shit. You wont be disappointed. If you haven't heard them and are a fan of any band like Soilwork, Children Of Bodom, Norther, Degradead etc you need to give these guys a chance! If you don't like any of those bands this wont change your mind into a new genre.
   This ones for the purists a very solid 8\10.
-Loganopolis





https://www.facebook.com/MyGrain

WindRunners - Undead Review



Band: WindRunners
Album: Undead
Released: January 2013
Label: Metalism


WindRunners hail from Ukraine, I haven’t heard of them before until now. Then again so many bands out in this extremely huge metal world of ours, hard to keep tabs on every country unfortunately. But as most metal-heads know, least the more open ones. It’s always good to learn about new bands that haven’t been heard of before. As there's so much to choose from for music out there.


So on WindRunners platter we have a cross between old school thrash and power metal mixed together. Not bad at all from what I’m listening to between this and their Lifeless ep and few youtube videos they sent over as well. One of which is below for their track Lifeless. At first listen the vocals on the cd kinda hit the style that Whitfield Crane did back in Ugly Kid Joe. But with more range definitely, Like some bands you have the entire band doing the chorus which is good.


Going by their live videos and their music, definitely a band to keep fans moving and interested in their music. Probably this reviewer getting a bit older, the old school their type of music is a breath of fresh air compared to all the death/grind bands. Granted I love those bands too, but after awhile change is always good. WIndRunners will definitely be a keeper in my collection right next to bands like Warbringer, and other such bands. I give this disc a 7 out of 10.


Tracks as listed -


1. Undead    
2. Lifeless
3. First
4. Time
5. Prisoned in Stone  
6. Eternal
7. Evil Potion
8. Cold as Ice
9. Goodbye My Darling


Definitely give them a listen and support them, energetic band and some good tunes.

Band contact info:
Official WindRunners Website: http://windrunners.com.ua 
Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/windrunnersband 
YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/WindrunnersUA 
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/windrunnersUA
Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/106838493544523850521/posts



Saturday, November 9, 2013

Carcass - Surgical Steel Review



Band: Carcass
Album: Surgical Steel
Released: September 2013
Label: Nuclear Blast


Just like every other Carcass fan I practically did a backflip on the news that there was a new cd being released after 16 years. Obviously I didn’t as my back is bad enough as it is. Anyways the first single to hit the web via their Facebook and by their label Nuclear Blast’s Youtube page was “Captive Bolt Pistol”. Personally I wasn’t overly crazy about that song when I first heard it.  Once I acquired the actual disc when it was released I was blown away pretty much. Definitely a blast to listen to.


Depending on what country/region you’re in you’ll get one or maybe even two bonus tracks. Thanks to Amazon, etc you can buy whichever version you want or all of them if you wish. I know the band & label would love that. The tracks on what I have go as follows.


1. 1985 (Instrumental)
2. Thrashers Abattoir
3. Cadaver Pouch Conveyor System
4. Congealed Clot of Blood
5. The Master’s Butcher Apron
6. Non Compliance ASTFM 899-12 Standard
7. The Granulated Dark
8. Unfit For Human Consumption
9. 316L Grade Surgical Steel
10. Captive Bolt Pistol
11. Mount of Execution
12. Intensive Battery Brooding (Bonus Track)


Musically the disc goes back to earlier days as Necroticism and Heartwork. Just like Heartwork it’s just Jeff Walker on vocals. Why they don’t do dual vocals anymore, nobody knows but them. Jeff is a good vocalist in his own right though in my opinion. The musicians on this album, all but Bill Steer are new, but they sound even tighter than than the they were on Heartwork. Lyrically it’s tongue in cheek as always, the artwork as pictured above goes back to the Necroticism and Tools of The Trade ep. There’s only one or two mediocre songs the above mentioned Captive Bolt Pistol and the bonus track Intensive Battery Brooding was kind of slow as well. Otherwise it’s a solid disc in this reviewers opinion.


Oddly enough the band and label said on Facebook there was a leak, which quite possibly they knew of before hand. But who’s to say what transpired during recordings of the album. So all of you in the metal community, well the cheapskates flocked to find it via torrents, etc, you know who you are. You can get it online for purchase via Amazon, iTunes, Google Play even had it for $5.99 US at one point as a promotion.

Definitely a disc that will be steadily listened to for awhile in my collection. I’m sure in due time they’ll re-release it with all the bonus tracks and singles that came out with magazines, maybe even packaged with a dvd with it. (Take the hint Carcass boys & marketing execs). It’s highly recommended for all Carcass fans new and old. I give it an 8 out of 10 for a rating as it’s that good and solid of an album.

Carcass official Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/OfficialCarcass

Band Page @ Nuclear Blast -
http://www.nuclearblast.com/en/music/band/about/3025043.carcass.html