Obelyskkh-White Lightnin’

Exile On Mainstream
2012


 
It seems like it has been months since I first looked upon this album with a mixture of curiosity and mistrust. Knowing full well that just looking at the album art wouldn't get me anywhere I finally decided to scoop "White Lightnin'" out of our promo section, knock the dust off of it and see what was what. Why did it take so long? Well, just check out that artwork. I can't be the only one who thinks of Pushead am I? Not that it has much to do with this album and the music within. It's just that this album's art brings back fond memories of the work of Pushead and I was very afraid that the album's music wouldn't live up to the artwork. It turns out though that this is the second studio album from Germany's Obelyskkh. The band brought in Billy Anderson (Sleep, Neurosis, Mr. Bungle, Eyehategod, High On Fire, Melvins, etc.) to "capture, mix and master their new work". And that work is what exactly you might be asking? A mixture of sludge and doom. That second part is really nice-DOOM. Doom my friends...blissful doom. Album number two for these Germans is worthy of such album art. Without spending too much of your precious time I'll just skip all the  fancy words or long, drawn-out descriptions that just get in the way of this dark sound. Instead this album is a love letter to all of you that adore sludge and DOOM. Yeah, I do love the doom part of this band in case you couldn't tell! This album is going to feel right at home in my collection as I've started to appreciate the genre more thanks to acts like this that create music, not only for the melancholy, but those of us that love the brute force appeal that these sounds have eardrums.

Scelerata-The Sniper

2012

If you have read a review that I written of a power metal album then you know that I normally get my dander up and go some incoherant rant about I have a love-hate relationship with power metal bands. My opinion hasn't changed as some bands in that style hit a chord with me and hook me. While others go overboard with the excesses that accompany this style and annoy me to no end. So not that I got at brief rant out of the way lets get at this album. There is of course some European style power metal at the core of this bands sound, but they don't hail fro Europe they just like the style. Brazilian power metal act Scelerata return with their third full length effort. These guys aren't going to pull anyone in with the silly cover or the generic album title. Now any hype around this album is likely focused around the fact that former Iron Maiden front man Paul Di'anno adds guest vocals on two tracks and Helloween vocalist Andi Deris is on another one. That's fine that they pulled in some of their idols to help, but really matters is what they do on their own. Even an old power metal grump like myself was quickly swayed by the mix of swirling power metal with classic metal rhythms. Add in firmly grounded heavy rhythms and I was hooked. Obviously 90's Helloween and Gamma Ray are the big influences here. Scelerata are big on sweeping and soaring rhythms, but they never allow those parts to distract too much from the overall feel of their songs. For the most part they manage to remain focused and always bring all their passages back into main direction of their songs. Vocalist Fabio Juan has an enviable range, but emotionally he always ties it back into where the music is going and actually adds to the feel of every track here. The title tracks is my favorite on this album. Clocking in a little under ten mintues in length they manage to cram in about half an albums worth of riffs and pace changes but still have it turn out sounding fairly spectacular. Honestly I only approached this album because I had not reviewed a power album in a while and like to tackle albums from different styles, but this one definitely exceeded my expectations.

Happy Halloween!

This is my favorite holiday and I hope to enjoy it despite the weather here in the mid-Atlantic area. If I have power I'll be watching horror movies and listening to Misfits, Samhain, King Diamond, Gein and the graverobbers, The Ghastley Ones, early Iron Maiden and other horror themed music. If I don't have power then I'll be pulling out some Poe and Lovecraft books to read by daylight, candlelight, flashlight or whatever light I can use.

What are your Halloween plans or Halloween watching or listening?

Confidence-Seeds

Self-produced
2012

This is an EP from Sweden's Confidence and it's a bit of a strange one. Strange in that it sounds like post-Dio era Rainbow mixed with various stages of Uriah Heep with some odd paced vocals thrown in. Odd as in the singer sounds like a cross between Joe Lynn Turner, Kevin Dubrow and Peter Wabbit (of Witch in case you didn't know). So take all that and drag it into the big slick production of the mid-80's that was slapped on albums by bands like Whitesnake and you get an idea of what this band is doing. Make sense? No, it doesn't totally make sense to me either and it didn't on the first spin either. So I let it sit and returned again and again then it started to sink in and agree with me a little more. There are still uneven almost clunky seconds here and there which means this isn't totally tight, but it's very busy and ambitious effort. Mostly they have the skill to make it sound quite promising. These are some different yet welcome influences. An interesting release with enough potential to make me really want to hear what they could do on a full length effort.

Sister Sin-Now and forever

Victory
2012

I first heard this band on their "Smash the silence" EP back in 2007. I definitely hear the potential even then. So over the course of the last few years this band's popularity has certainly gone up a few notches to say the least. However their style hasn't changed terribly as they still draw on influences such as early Motley Crue, Accept and even Warlock/Doro. Sister Sin are exactly breaking any new ground, but instead they are pulling some of the best elements from bands of the bands and adding their own twist into it. That was true on the previous two LPs and if anything the band sounds even more confident in their direction on their latest creation. They are necessarily heavier on this album, but it does sound like the volume was cranked up a bit on their sound and I appreciate it so kudos to the producer. As always there are some anthems here and the band handles them well with tracks like "Fight song", "In it for life" and "The chosen few". All three of those selections feature simple, but instantly likable choruses with vocalist Liv leading the way. We knew there had to be an album because after all this is still a hard rock album so we get "Morning after" which has a definite Doro Pesch influence guiding it and that's fine by me. I wouldn't chosen it as the closer because I think all albums should end on a heavy, powerful song but that may just be me. My favorite tracks on this album are the solid stomper "Shades of black" and freakishly catchy "End of the line". Acts trying to emulate older metal bands are all over the place and plenty have come and gone over the last decade. However Sister Sin have not just survived during that time period, but they have actually emerged as one of more impressive bands playing this style today. If I had any doubts about success spoiling their sound well they were all swept away very early into "Now and forever". Again Sister Sin have hooked on their new album and I know I will be playing it well into 2013.

Arkham Witch-Legions of the Deep

Metal On Metal Records
2012

Before I get into this sophomore release from England's Arkham Witch I feel that I should give special props to Jowita Kaminska-Peruzzi for the excellent art work here. Yes, this is not Jowita's first attempt with a paint brush as she has worked with Exodus, Witchburner, Attacker, Forsaken, Meliah Rage, Manilla Road, Deceased, etc. Thing is Jowita is also the owner of Metal On Metal Records. I could be wrong, but there can't be that many record label owners that not only support their signings, as they should be obviously, but also supply the cover art for their release! At least I can't recall any. This cool Lovecraft-inspired painting aside it is the music that is the meat of the matter. My past experience with Arkham Witch didn't exactly leave me feeling inspired about this album (the band recorded  "For Metal" which was on Metal On Metal Records' "Compendium Of Metal Vol. 5"-review link below) as their supposed "doom metal meets NWOBHM" sound felt flat and lifeless. From the sound's offered up here then that compilation track must have been a throwaway cut. Album number two from Arkham Witch is nothing sort of sick. There were fleeting moments when I didn't care for I was hearing. It's only a rare moment here and there though. For example the track "Infernal Machine" falls into the trap of putting too much emphasis on the backing vocals and offering up to much straight heavy metal when it would have been better served as a trimmed up cut with more NWOBHM influences (Note: after getting some feedback on the review, which I always appreciate by the way, I was sent the following comment from owner Jowita: "for us it's "Infernal Machine" that immediately brings to mind Deep Switch - just listen to "Pig Feeder" - they can't hide which song inspired them here. ;)" and you know what? As I listen to "Pig Feeder" those Deep Switch flavors are really bold! Good call and spot on!). Other then maybe that cut it was rare for me to turn my head and say "Well, that doesn't quite jive". So, there were little to no times on the band's sophomore record when I wasn't fully engaged with the bands take on NWOBHM. For the record there is some doom to be found here, but a better description is in tall order here. Before I get to that though the promo gives it's fair share of bands that inspired Arkham Witch. So, without further wait (as I know you are dying to find out!) here are the bands that are said to have rocked the band into existence: "DEEP SWITCH, HELL, WITCHFINDER GENERAL, JUDAS PRIEST, PENTAGRAM, SAINT VITUS, MANILLA ROAD, CIRITH UNGOL and of course THE LAMP OF THOTH". The Deep Switch and Hell comparisons are probably fitting (especially on the above mentioned track now that I listen to it again) and so is the Judas Priest tag. The other bands though? Sure, I'd say your in the same ballpark, but Arkham Witch have their own flow going for them. The Lamp Of Thoth comparison comes from the fact that vocalist Simon and drummer Emily both played with said band. The only thing is I have never heard their other band so I can't commit to that comparison. For the record they are joined by bassist John Demaine and guitarist Aldo "Dodo" Delle Rose (both of which also handle backing vocals) and the four of them sound great all around. There are no real complaints about the four musicians although Simon does try to do a bit more then what is called for. That being said he never falls out of favor with me on the band's sophomore release and, as stated, the four musicians do a good job of making the music sound wicked and sinister without being completely offsetting. Going back to the influences once more (as it's the best way to try to describe the band's own take on heavy metal) and I'd dare to bet a dollar or two that the band has a "passing" familiarity with Kiss and Black Sabbath (see "Gods of Storm and Thunder" to hear what I'm getting at). Not that those are bad influences or anything. I'm just saying they might have heard a few tracks from both bands and possibly decided to combine them into a hard and heavy number. As we find our way back to this LP let us take a quick look and see why everything works so well for the band. Take a cut like "Kult of Kutulu" and just listen to it. I mean really sit down and listen to it. Not only is it straight, no filler, heavy metal (and good heavy metal at that), but it does pull in some subtle NWOBHM influences (in this case Deep Switch again) and makes the music work to their advantage. It doesn't sound dated or tired which is often times the one drawback I discover from these sort of "retro" inspired acts.. It's modern sounding without being modern metal (thank God for that!). Instead it's like some mad scientist took out a empty beaker in a laboratory and mixed together the better elements of traditional heavy, NWOBHM, power metal and yes, maybe just a pinch or two, some doom before letting it come to a furious boil. With the beaker threatening to boil over the mad doctor decides it's time to dump the contents into empty pods and let them mature into a muted metal band. Along the way somehow some punk attitude leaks into the pods  (see "We're from Keighley"), but somehow/someway they do grow into a solid 4-piece metal band. As this is only the band's second release I'm sure there is room to grow and improve. But, as this is ONLY the band's second release it must be said again that this is some SWEET stuff they've got going on and the future is there for the taking if they can keep hungry. With quality releases like this one Metal On Metal Records is slowly becoming one of my favorite record labels. Speaking of Metal On Metal Records be sure to head over to their site where they are streaming three songs off of the album. The cuts included are "At the Mountain of Madness" (a very cool number), "Infernal Machine" and "The Cloven Sea". You can find them all here: http://metal-on-metal.com/bands/arkham-witch/ Metal on Metal Records website.













Review of  "Compendium Of Metal Vol. 5":

http://metalmark.blogspot.com/search?q=arkham+witch

Nails-Obscene Humanity

2012

This is actually re-recordings of a few tracks from their 2009 album of the same name that they decided to do to put out as a seven inch. Somehow this album reminds me of days in college when I would stay up  late studying for an early morning exam and fill myself full of coffee and Pixie sticks so I'd have energy to stay up and study, sleep briefly and then wake up and have enough energy to tear into the exam. Then after the exam the energy was gone and I'd crash for hours to recover. This album reminds me of those days because these three tracks from Nails in that they explode with a brief bursts of energy bringing crazy amounts of adrenaline to each ear busting song. Maybe they are fueled by excitement for the music rather than caffeine and sugar as I was and the music they create is more fun than taking a Geography exam. What I like most about these selections is that they know create heavy noise, but it never gets out of control. They frequently bring the noise back down into a crunching yet slightly more focused passage yet it all fits together as they blend hardcore with grind core and some other heavy forms to boot. These songs are over quickly, but they stayed in my memory long after they ended and that a good sign.

Reviews for suckas-London-Don't cry wolf

It's been a while since we have called upon Mr. T to share his musical knowledge.This seemed like a good time to call him back as we asked him to pick out an album that scares him. So let's find out what he thinks of London's 1986 release "Don't cry wolf".

"Not much scares me. However fools with no talent who get record contracts can be a scary thing. In the 80's so many record labels were signing any pathetic bunch of idiots with big hair and make-up smeared on their faces. This band London was known because guys who left went on to have success with other bands. Those guys left London because they had two things-some talent and common sense. Look at some of these pathetic songs-
"Hit and run lover"? I'm no lover of this lame junk, but I'll gladly hit these fools and make them run. "We want everything"? How can these crazy men think they deserve everything when they offer nothing but worthless jibba jabba? "Killing time"? These clowns are killing my eardrums and they are wasting my time with their sour noise.
Hair metal can be bad and London were one of the worst. I pity the fools that thought these suckas were playing real music.

Vindicator-United we fall

Slaney
2012

 I remember several years back when a lot of younger bands were popping up playing old style thrash influenced by the acts that started the style back in the mid to late 80's. A number of people thought this would be a fad that would soon die out. Well they were wrong as if anything more bands have popped up following the roads paved by the masters of the genre years ago. Of course just like the thrash scene of the 80's there are impressive and not so impressive acts. I know that I have heard some solid thrash albums this year and some that made me go "eh, big deal, I heard this before". So that leads us to the latest offering from Vindicator. You may have guessed that I wouldn't have spent this much build up on a watered clunker. If you made that deduction then you would indeed be correct since Vindicator have reached into past grabbed the spirit of classic thrash and taken it kicking and screaming into today's metal world. However this is a bit of a surprise to me since I wasn't terribly impressed by their songs on the Outbreak of metal split disc that they did three years nor was I was all too thrilled by their 2010 album "the Antique Witcheries" which I thought was mostly run of the mill material. However "United we fall" has me thinking that their songwriting skills have gone up a notch or two. Think early Megadeth mixed with early Annihilator, Exodus, Razor and other acts that shredded the scene back between say 1985 and 1989. This is definitely a band to goes by the power of the riff because they know how to knock out thick and chunky riffs. That's always a good beginning to memorable thrash which is clearly what this album is. The vocals are rough, but they complement the music which what they should be doing. The clunky and typical approach that accompanied much of their previous material has been worked out as they hit on all cylinders and have an impressive knack of timing. On the twelve tracks presented here I never heard any shortcomings and if anything the album started strong and got better as it went along.While not all upcoming thrash acts are impressive it's refreshing to hear that Vindicator have plenty to offer plus they have certainly improved from their previous work.

Free Music Monday: Little Caesar/Decibel Consulting And Design Compilation Vol. 3

Unison Music Group
2012



It's "Free Music Monday" here at Heavy Metal Time Machine as I offer up to all of you, our faithful followers and readers, the first of two free downloads. First up we have a 6-track compilation EP from every one's favorite hard rock/blues rock band, Little Caesar. As a thank you to the fans who supported the band's latest release, "American Dream", Little Caesar is offering a free download of "Knuckle Sandwich" through NoiseTrade. This EP is a compilation of Little Caesar's "best songs" spanning their entire career. Among the songs is the no longer available live track, "Ballad Of Johnny". This download is free for the taking thanks to Noisetrade. Just provide your email and a link will be promptly e-mailed your way. Before we get on to the second free offering a special thanks must be given to Sleaze Roxx who provided the initial link and information. Kudos Sleaze Roxx. You can download the EP here: 

http://noisetrade.com/littlecaesar

Decibel Consulting And Design
2012

This compilation was originally handed out free to those who attended the Oct.16th Seether/Sick Puppy concert at Mill City Nights in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Decibel Consulting And Design (see link below for more information on the company) is now offering a free download of the compilation for those of us who didn't make the show. Since most compilations are hit or miss anyway (especially when they feature unsigned and/or unknown names) I wouldn't dare to lie and say this one is any different. Of the 20 tracks presented on this free compilation at least half of them offer little in the way of new ideas (The same old song and dance melodic metalcore routine? I'll pass), but there were some hidden gems to be found. Since the purpose of these sort of compilations is to not only expose you to new acts that you had previously never heard before (obviously), but also to get you to want to check out these new bands then "Vol. 3" does achieve that. It's interesting that on a compilation that featured some good modern metal (Fist to the Sky and Silent Theory) and a rather interesting (male and female vocals) take on melodic metalcore/death metal (courtesy of Nine Day Fall) it would be the more traditional rock outfits that would impress me. I found myself fully engaged with Goldenground's subtle and soft "Letter To A Firetrain Girl". It is a slightly "alternative" number with a lush arrangement. As good as it is though it was The Black Saints that really did it for me. The band offers a simply killer raw and greasy take on dirty rock 'n roll with just enough of a punk edge (New York Dolls maybe?) to make you hungry for more. The Black Saints are pure garage rock n' rock and worth the price of admission alone! And, since there is no price tag on this 20 track download, there is no reason not to check out this compilation right?

  http://decibelpromo.bandcamp.com/album/decibel-compilation-vol-3




https://www.facebook.com/decibelconsulting

Current playlist

Andy-
 Listening:
Tygers On Pan Tang-Ambush (Review coming soon hopefully)
Hash Palace-Grit and Bare It
The Worshyp-Evil Abounds
Further Seems Forever-Hope This Finds You Well
Mammoth Mammoth-Vol. III
Hell's Likely (See Review)
The Monkees-The Monkees
Ramones-Too Tough To Die (Bonus Track Version)
Faster Pussycat-Kill Kill Kill: The Best Of... (This is a homemade mix CD I made a long time back that collected all the best of this great sleaze band!)
Heavy Metal Heroes II
The Jimi Hendrix Experience-Are You Experienced

Watching:
Cemetery Man
The Last Of The Living
Slither

Reading: Old Rolling Stone magazines from the nineties that my local library was tossing out.

Metal Mark-
 listening to-
Vindicator-United we fall
Admiral Browning-Dead Pets
The Adicts-Songs of praise
Blondie-Panic of girls
Jaded-s/t
Misfits-boxed set
Sister Sin-Now and forever
Knightmare-Mindless Mayhem
Lankhmar-Prejudiced
Westfalen-Devil's Race

Watching-
Remington Steele-season two
 Lots of Godzilla movies
Mad Monster Party

Reading-
Various graphic novels
Various cookbooks

Ouijabeard-Die And Let Live

High Roller Records 
2012


Just the other day I was talking with fellow music-lover/reviewer/all around swell guy Ray Van Horn Jr. (whose excellent reviews can be found these days over at Blabbermouth.net) all how people don't fully understand how much hard work goes into writing. It is not that I am complaining as that is far from the case. The true joy I am able to take away from writing about music I love can never truly be expressed in mere words. As far as I'm concerned I'm living the dream being able to listen to and review good music. That is especially clear to me when an album comes along that leaves me breathless that, without the benefit of working directly with record labels, I might never have heard. By way of explanation Ouijabeard is a side-project of Dr. Ape. Yes, the same Dr. Ape that is the vocalist of Dr. Living Dead. With that said this is nothing like Dr. Living Dead so put that name out of your mind. Dr. Ape is really Andreas Sandberg and on "Die And Let Live he handles vocals, bass, rhythm guitar and all synthesizer work. The only thing that might tie this to his other band is the fact that Dr. Toxic (Dr. Living Dead's guitarist) handles some lead work. Other that that Andreas Sandberg's Ouijabeard is a million-miles removed from the crossover sounds of his main band. Andreas himself describes the project as such: “Dr. Living Dead is a band that I am involved in. Yes, that is correct. Dr. Living Dead is very important and so is Ouijabeard. I am Ouijabeard. That is no secret. Ouijabeard is me and a bunch of musicians that I like. This is a serious musical project. It is for real." Andreas worked alongside some great guest musicians like Blaze Bayley, Thomas Zwijsen, Tor Nyman, Johannes Wanngren, Christopher Hjelte, Sofia Bagge, Filip Geete and Olov Hamilton to create a soundtrack to his vision. The album's influences are said to be Grigorij Rasputin, 'The Elder" by Kiss (especially evident on "Curse of the Stones" which sounds like Kiss if Kiss had actually been a NWOBHM act), Black Sabbath and Iron Maiden. Seeing as I have listened to this album four times already since downloading it's kind of obvious I enjoyed it...a lot. The main thing about Ouijabeard is how dreamlike it all sounds. Opening number "Eyes in the Night" comes across as a little bit of B.O.C., Merciful Fate, Black Sabbath and The Doors. That is after an opening that equally recalls Led Zeppelin and Funkadelic's "Maggot Brain". At times you can taste the metal in the air from the likes of Iron Maiden and Black Sabbath. The difference is that with Ouijabeard you also find yourself fondly reminiscing about classic rock's heyday and the way that 70's hard rock felt very natural. It's refreshing to find that this record is recorded in such a way that it comes across as vintage and modern. The album was written and produced by Andreas in such a way that a track like "Alexandra" (which is what Metallica was trying for with the track "Unforgiven") comes echoing out at just the right speed that a listener can't help but focus in. "Die And Let Live" wasn't so much an album for me as it was a reminder that reviewing music is first and foremost a privilege. It was also a reminder that for me music is life and life is music. How anyone can hope to have one without the other I have no idea.

Adrenechrome-Hideous Appetites

Self-Release
2012


Orillia, Ontario's Adrenechrome are a fairly young four-piece band. The band was formed just two years ago and is made up of vocalist/guitarist Chris Friesen, guitarist Tim Kehoe, bassist Mike Van Dyk and drummer Matt Copeland (who I assume is no relation to Stewart Copeland although that would be cool). Musically this self-released affair (which was produced and mixed by Darius Szcespaniak at Iguana Studios) is quite the interesting ride. Seemingly this band is not only content to get themselves drunk on modern metal (there's some Mastodon, Baroness and Bison B.C. to be found amongst the grooves), but more vintage brands like Megadeth, Pantera, Metallica, Black Sabbath, C.O.C. and Exodus. Somehow all these sounds perfectly merge together to create this stoner/thrash/groove/heavy metal platter. Just when you think the band is too busy thrashing out to some vintage Metallica riffs along comes a classic rock-inspired break down leaving you shaking your head in disbelief. Why? Because it all makes sense. Somehow/someway it all fits together like a puzzle and this LP leaves you thirsty for more. It's more then crossover. It's like crossover EXTREME with anything (groove) and everything (thrash) thrown in to make things extra spicy! This is another young uncompromising band to keep an eye out for. Highly unusual and highly recommend.

Mammoth Mammoth-Vol.III Hell's Likely

Napalm Records Handels GmbH
2012

Australia’s Mammoth Mammoth are a band so epic and monstrous they have to be named twice!  In fact they're mighty mighty and they let it ALL HANG OUT with a wicked "rock" onslaught that is fuzzed out and freaked out. It's wall it wall amps in a smoke-filled room on "Vol. III Hell´s Likely" and, judging by that album art, these four Australians are not looking to wrap themselves up in the latest fads in heavy music. No, these guys are stone cold drenched in the sound of the 70's. It's not retro when it feels like it is a long lost nugget that has been unearthed is it? This is one mountain of a band with a thunderous "rock" assault that owes it's very soul to the invention of the electric guitar. It's not just stoner rock (despite the huge amount of smoke that comes floating off this 12-track platter as soon as you hit "play") as there are equal parts AC/DC, Black Sabbath, Thin Lizzy and Motörhead to be found.  The moment Mammoth Mammoth's second full-length album kicks in your transported by way of seriously HEAVY music to a time when rock was king and it was all about opening up the sky with the sound of thunder. Not that the song remains the same, but the vibe Mammoth Mammoth's brand of rock kicks out (to me folks) recalls acts like Cream, The Who and Jimi Hendrix. I got the same kind of feeling out of this Australian four-piece as I did when I first heard those three greats on LP many, many years ago. Granted, this young band are nowhere near ready to be in that league as those are the greats, the classics. It's all the same bloodline though as Mammoth Mammoth dig in their boots and thrash their instruments senseless in such a way that this album....well, it seems weird to listen to digital versions of these sounds when this 12-track album would benefit greatly from the sound of vinyl. This is one hard rocking album that is bound to turn a few heads and, in my little corner of the world, it's going to get more then a few spins. Play this one loud!

Forgotten Gems-Jaded-s/t

I remember a review of the self-released debut from this all-female Boston area band back in 2006. I bought their album soon after that and wasn't disapointed. Actually in recent months I had not heard it in a while. Yesterday I was going to do some heavy duty cleaning in the basement last night so I needed some music. As I raided a bin that I have not opened in month I came upon this CD. So I took it with me on my task. Right away "Get up" came blasting on and it flooding back to me just how good this band was. If that song didn't convince me then the power of the next track "Jet car" definitely did with it's powerful main riff. Jaded at this point were a real mix of styles. Some songs let you know that they really enjoyed the party type, late 70's hard rock like KISS and Starz. Other tracks follow more mid-80's metal anthems along the lines of say Judas Priest and Warlock. Either way they put their own brand on whatever style they decide to tackle. In many ways they sound like a band I would expect to have been playing around 1985-1987. That's not putting a limit on them, but rather just saying that their music does anice job of echoing styles from that time period. On their debut they went the lead and studs look plus they had stage names like "Abbey Dragon" and "Britt Lightning". I know they opened for a number of national bands back then including WASP and Skid Row. The music here certainly makes me think it would translate very well to a live format. After this album the band went through some line-up changes. The last I heard of them they released an EP about two years ago and they had more of a less 80's metal look. There six year old debut is worth tracking down.

Auroch-From Forgotten Worlds

Hellthrasher Productions
2012


Hellthrasher Productions...I rather like that name. Seems a fitting force to stand behind the 3-piece act known as Auroch. Especially seeing as they sound as if they have been spit out from the blackest parts of hell to begin with. Truth be told this Vancouver-based 3-piece were formed out of the underground scene in 2008 and spent more then a few years tearing things up in their native land while also releasing several demos and a split with fellow British Columbia act Ancient Obliteration. Along the way they shared the stage with group's like Exodus, Bonded by Blood, Holy Grail, The Agonist and 3 Inches of Blood. Lead by guitarist/vocalist Sebastian Montesi this extreme metal act (who prefer the label "Lovecraftian death metal") are just the thing for those dark, cold and lonely nights. This trio play thrash riddled death metal that rages out of the cage like a blood-crazed cross between Carcass, Behemoth, Morbid Angel and Cryptopsy. If raw yet technical, dismal and twisted, extreme metal is what you need to get you thru the long months ahead then look no further my fiends! This one is a thing of beauty.

The Worshyp-Evil Abounds

CD Baby
2012

When I first sat down to listen to The Worshyp I had to check the sell-by date just to make sure this wasn't some re-release. Truth be told "Thunderman" was the first track I heard off of "Evil Abounds" and my honest reaction was "I've never heard this Metallica song before". Granted that was before the vocals kicked in, but all the same this Toronto, Ontario choose a fairly fitting name as they worship all things Metallica/Megadeth. In fact the band even managed to rope in drummer Jimmy DeGrasso (Megadeth and Alice Copper) for this record! The rest of the band (vocalist/guitarist Marz Nova, lead guitarist Thor Rune and bassist Mig Diabio) seems as if they grew up on a healthy diet of Bay Area thrash with the occasional treat or two being bands like Pantera and Alice In Chains. If it sounds as if I'm being too harsh on this Canadian band then be patient as there is a silver lining. While I realized early on that "Thunderman" isn't a long lost Metallica number it did peak my interest about The Worshyp. In fact it was a solid enough track that I did some digging around/asking around and managed to score a copy of the album. While it has been out awhile already it is a 2012 release and it is a LP that should be of interest to those heavy metal fans that love mid-period Metallica and/or modern metal bands that list both Anthrax and Alice In Chains as influences. Lack of originality aside "Evil Abounds" is a heavy metal album thru and thru. "Diabolic" kicks things of with a semi-modern take on the hard rock days of Metallica meeting the middle of the road thrash of Megadeth. Speaking of Dave and company tracks like "Seven Deadly Sins" are what Megadeth would sound like if they were Canadian. It isn't all a thrash metal love-fest as "The Graveyard" has this Alice In Chains meets Pantera vibe going for it while "Warton" is Alice In Chains meets Metallica. OK, I guess there is a lot of love for Metallica and the like, but along the way there are choice pieces of "traditional" heavy metal like "Villains". It's most interesting how Marz Nova can go from sounding like a James Hetfield/Dave Mustaine mash up to sounding as if he studied grunge at the feet of the late Layne Staley. Even so if you can look past the obvious flaw that is a lack of originality then you might just find yourself enjoying the metal appeal of "Evil Abounds". If nothing else it is close to 60 minutes (thanks in no small part to the 10 minute bonus track,  "Destroyer Extended") of pure heavy metal/thrash worship! No pun intended....

Stryper-Live In Indonesia At Java Rockin' Land

MVD
2012

Christian hard rock act Stryper were filmed at this huge festival in Indonesia two years ago. It was reported that it was a last minute addition to their touring schedule, but the band and their management did what they had to for making it happen. Here we have the line-up that played on all of their well know 80's albums as bassist Tim Gaines returned in 2009 after being out of the band for a few years. The set list is also made up of mostly 80's tracks with cuts like "The Rock that makes me roll", "Loud n' clear", "Honestly". Yes, the band is still is still wearing yellow and black outfits only now they are a bit more subtle about their attire. My favorite things about Stryper are that Robert Sweet is a very solid drummer. I have heard it more in the various projects he has done with guitarist Bill Menchen, but you can hear and definitely see it in this performance with Stryper as well. I always felt that Michael Sweet and Oz Fox were a slightly overlooked guitar duo as both were competent and even impressive at times on their solos. One of the major drawbacks of Stryper for me was too many sappy, slow songs. I know that some of those were there most known hits, but they never appealed that much to me. Every hard rock act back in the day seem to have felt the need to tack on at least one power ballad, but Stryper always seemed to put more than one of their albums and for me it slowed down the momentum of their albums. Another part of Stryper that I had trouble with was how high Michael Sweet's vocals could be. He was always in tune, but at times this approach took away from the overall heaviness of their songs. Let's get into this 2010 performance. This was a huge festival and the sound and camera people do a great job of capturing the excitement of an event of such proportions. The first thing that I noticed right away was that Michael Sweet was a much more charismatic frontman than I would have thought. He is very natural and relaxed, but also engaging with the crowd. In between songs he jokes about how 80's glam bands looked and about what MTV has become. Unlike other 80's hard rocks that are now middle aged there is no attempt to act like they are still in their 20's and be the aging rocker. Instead what we get from Sweet and the rest of the band is straight forward show of solid hard rock delivered to the best of their abilities. In listening to Stryper's 80's albums I always felt the production could have been a bit more full in tone on their heavier tracks. On occasion it felt like they were playing music that but someone behind the knobs turned the music down a bit. On this show you get to here some of what you may have been missing on those studio versions for all these years. Stryper managed to act natural, look natural and play their songs about as good as I have heard them. I didn't go into this DVD expecting to be that impressed, but I was indeed impressed. Since the time this concert was filmed the band has released the very likable 2011 cover album "The Covering" and they continue to tour. I was glad to see a veteran hard rock look like they still had something left to give.

Incite-All Out War

Minus Head Records
2012

Let me just start things off by saying that I've seen some "interesting" record label names, but "Minus Head"? OK, that is a bit....odd. Anyway, album number two for Phoenix-based Incite was recorded at Darth Mader Music in Hollywood, Calif. with the one and only Logan Mader (Machine Head, Medication and Soulfly) sitting in the producer's chair. Logan Mader (who has also worked with Gojira and Soulfly) helped this young band by getting the band to stick to their roots while also opening up to new ideas and textures. Incite end up getting the benefit of Logan's many years as a guitarist and all-around hardcore individual from the sounds of it. The guys in Incite obviously choose to listen carefully to Logan's instructions as this Phoenix quartet offer up a really gritty and raw take on thrash/groove that is equal-parts underground thrash and accessible metal. "All Out War" is an album that should appeal to the hardcore thrash scene (or kids living on the edge) and those who like the more "known" acts. Speaking of being known, Incite might best known for featuring Richie Cavalera, (Max Cavalera's stepson) within their ranks. Richie (who handles lead vocals) has recorded with both Soulfly and Cavalera Conspiracy so those comparisons are obvious. That said Incite is it's own beast with it's own identity. Richie seems to be more then capable of  choosing his own destiny judging by the way "All Out War" unfolds. He is a fairly solid front- man aided greatly by aggressive lead work courtesy of original guitarist Dis (he has since left the band) and a sound that is both modern and primal in nature. Richie Cavalera might be the main focal point of  Incite, but this is a team effort all around from the stellar lead guitar work to the tight rhythm section. With a new guitarist (Gene Macazan) joining Richie Cavalera (vocals), Zak Sofaly (drums) and Luis Marrufo (bass) the pieces are all there for Incite to become something truly inspired if they can build upon their sophomore album.

Dr. Living Dead-Radioactive Intervention

High Roller Records
2012

 

Stockholm's Dr. Living Dead were formed in 2007 and, following a pair of demos, released their self-titled debut album four years later. On their 2011 album the name of the game was early Anthrax meets Suicidal Tendencies. With "Radioactive Intervention" the band (vocalist Dr. Ape, guitarist Dr. Toxic, drummer Dr. Dawn and bassist Dr. Rad) still find themselves stuck in the mid-80's when crossover was king of the mountain. You can still name check Anthrax and Suicidal Tendencies (especially those first couple of albums from both bands) although you could also toss in some C.O.C., Excel, S.O.D., Ludichrist, Uncle Slam and D.R.I. and still be in the same ballpark. The Anthrax comparison really hits you thanks to vocalist Dr. Ape. It's doubtful it's on purpose or anything. That would be too obvious. Man alive though he sounds like he could be the younger brother of Joey Belladonna and, yes I am deadly serious, it might just be that he is as good if not better then Joey. With the band playing mid-80's crossover that doesn't sound retro (like say Municipal Waste) at all (instead it sounds as if it was plucked right out the 80s!) or goofy (as some of these retro thrash bands sound really) album number two is a beautiful thing. It's 12 tracks of pit-inspired speed/thrash with a hardcore gloss.Tracks like the Suicidal Tendencies inspired "Mental Warzone" offer quick little bursts of punk energy while numbers like "Hiding Inside of Me" and "Life Sucks" recall Bay Area thrash. The only down side? Well, the album feels short. It falls under 38 minutes and leaves you wanting more. Of course that was/is the nature of crossover. Songs rarely made it past the 3 minute mark to begin with. The longest cut here ("Dead New World") is also the last cut which does offer a nice way to wrap things up. Length issues aside if your a crossover fanatic and/or you wore out numerous cassette copies of Anthrax's first few albums then "Radioactive Intervention" is a must-have.

Mob Rules-Cannibal Nation

AFM Records
2012

Germany's Mob Rules formed in 1994 and released their well-received debut album, "Savage Land", in 1999. The band have so far managed to release 7 full-length releases, 2 EPs and a live album. The newest albums finds vocalist Klaus Dirks sounding as good as ever while the rest of Mob Rules rolls out melodic power metal that, mercifully, does not get caught up in the typical trappings of European power metal. In fact, if anything, Mob Rules lays down a hard hitting onslaught of melodic power metal than embraces elements of hard rock, traditional heavy metal and progressive metal. All of that of course falls under the blanket of melodic power metal and yet, thanks to the fact that the band finds it's "groove" early on, the music feels right at home. Mob Rules has been a band that, seemingly,  was to be found sitting on the outside of the genre. While their ability to forge power metal that is melodic and, yes, somewhat symphonic in nature in not in question what will the band do to stand out? Having the sense to explore new elements will help these guys in the end as the German power metal scene remains packed to overflowing with similar sounding groups. If Mob Rules can continue to craft power metal that is full of melody and style (since that is the popular thing these days for any German power metal hoping to make a go at it) but, add in a full-fledged injection of REAL heavy metal then the sky could be the limit.

Dead Beyond Buried-The Dark Era

Self-released/Independent
2012


Album number three from London, England's Dead Beyond Buried showed up with the latest issue of Metal Hammer and, as a supposed self-release, is not too shabby. Before we get to that point though let us get this little bit of information out of the way: Dead Beyond Buried are essentially an English version of Morbid Angel. In fact this is what Morbid Angel would sound like if they were from London instead of Tampa, Florida. With that said this 5-piece act ( lead by one Oli Marchant) are good at what they do (even if they are not completely original) and "The Dark Era" features some tasty slabs of death metal goodness. "The Rupturing" features some interesting riffs while "Shadows Consuming Spirits" chugs along with a meaty thump. "Cold Black Star" is straight death metal for a world in which pure death metal has been sadly weakened thanks to the inclusion of black metal and D-beats. For those craving the early death crunch of Morbid Angel here is a fairy good imitation and a band worth keeping one eye on.

Forgotten Gems-Jester

Never heard of this band until just the other day when I stumbled upon a download of their 1985 EP. According to Encyclopaedia Metallum this was their only release and they were from LA.  Upon listening to this I certainly guessed their place of origin before reading it. There is definitely a mid-80's LA hard rock on some of these songs maybe not far off from the likes of Ratt or Keel. However that's not all these guys do here. While something like "Who's to blame" definitely sounds like other LA hard rock bands of the day not all of the other songs are as simple. Opener "Jailbreak" has more of a hard rock meets early 80's Judas Priest sound complete with a shredding solo. "Let me love you" is a slower song with the early parts sounding a little like Ratt, but again they toss in plenty of squealing guitars and it manages to be a hard hitting slow song that never loses it's focus. "Don't be a fool" also starts slow and actually reminds me some of both early Rush and Diamond Head before settling into a more medium paced run. Only this song never dips totally into hard rock, but instead runs along between hard rock and metal in the second half. The last song "Follower" is perhaps the heaviest track on the album. Again they go between hard rock and metal and make it sound completely natural. Now for the record if you read some of my past views you may know that I have a love for mid-80's bands that combined metal and hard rock like WASP, Lizzy Borden, Witch, Axtion, Vyper and others. So Jester were right up my alley. Since there isn't much background on these guys I don't know all of their back story. Maybe they got into NWOBHM and other classic metal in the early 80's and then became interested in LA  hard rock acts once they became more prominent as the 80's went along. Or maybe there were member of Jester who like Priest and Maiden while others liked acts like Motley Crue and Ratt so their music was a result of mixed influences. Whatever the case this is a fine album. Again another band where it's a shame that they didn't keep going on because I would have liked to hear what they could have done in  a full length format.

Huinca-Sic Semper Tyrannis

Digimetalworld
 2012

The latest outing  from Chilian act Huinca is a mix of styles, approaches and yes even the results are varied. The metal influence include Pantera as well as 80's Bay area thrash with Metallica being the main source that you are likely to hear. They also mix in some music native to their area as well mostly relying on percussion instruments. The native music is portioned in various amounts with some songs getting more than others. Some tracks make the best use of these sounds by weaving them in with the metal while others use the sounds just as an introduction. Clearly the use of their native sounds is what sets Huinca apart from other bands who just play thrash. For the thrash sounds they are also varied as at times they embrace the style and go full throttle ahead following 80's style prime trash attacks. At other times they go for a more semi-fast controlled sound more along the lines of "And justice for all"-era Metallica. On other less imaginative songs they go for a rather basic path along the lines of early 90's Pantera. Their metal is mostly rooted in a classic style and then benefit both from a solid rhythm section and strong production values. They stumble at times with getting the vocals and music in sync with one another.I wish they had used the tribal music even more because when they do use it adds to to the overall depth of their sound and they handle it efficiently. Overall Huinca manage to establish themselves with their music and carve out a slightly different approach and create some interesting and even memorable metal.

Alltheniko-Back in 2066 (Three Head Mutant Chronicles)

Pure Steel Records
2012

How's that album title for a mouthful of metal? Italy's Alltheniko (the Metal Archives says, in regards to the name, "comes by a "pronunciation word's game", about their city's provenience: Oldenico (Vercelli) so take that for what it's worth folks) have been kicking around since 2002 or so and this looks to be album number four. This three-piece band plays tasty speed/power metal/thrash that is more on the raw end of the spectrum while still maintaining enough technical skills to keep things from being a bloody mess.Think for a second some "Painkiller" era Judas Priest with Anthrax and any number of German thrash bands joining in on a crash-course "Speed Metal For Dummies" book and you get the general ideal. It's not going to blow any minds (let alone speakers since it never gets too loud or truly heavy), but when you've got a band that can bring to mind bands like Rage and Megadeth while at the same time being able to maintain some semblance of originality well, you can't knock them too much right?

Current Playlist

Andy-

Listening to:

The Hand Of Doom-Poisonoise (Easily a very raw rock/metal album that lends itself to repeated listens)

Pandemonium-The Kill (Hope to have an interview with this great 80's metal band soon)

Stoneground-The Last Dance (killer rock)

Ugly Kid Joe-Menace To Sobriety (I had never heard the band's sophomore release all the way thru, but after a friend sent me a copy I was rather surprised. The bulk of this album is HEAVY heavy metal. Sure there is the still some of the familiar hard rock/pop metal Ugly Kid Joe to be found here. This was the same band that made "Everything About You" after all. That said this might have been the band's heaviest release. This album brings out the Black Sabbath love and embraces some of the better aspects of the grunge movement. Despite all of that it proved to Ugly Kid Joe's poorest seller! Go figure!)

The Rezillos-Can't Stand The Rizillos-The (Almost) Complete Rezillos (brilliant punk)

Slipfist-The Truth Is In Our Strength (hardcore)

AC/DC-High Voltage (Golden Oldie!)

Schein-Little Blue Girl (Female-fronted French hard rock)

Wolf/Kruizer-Echos Of The Past (old-school heavy metal)

Misfits-Misfits (Per Mark's suggestion I pulled out some Misfits. He's right, nothing says Halloween like the Misfits!)

Satan-Into the Future (NWOBHM)

Westfalen-Devil's Race (Great EP!)




Watching:
As it is October it's pretty much all horror films!

Children Of The Corn
It
Cursed
The Wolfman


Reading:
Zombies! An Illustrated History Of The Undead
Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine-June 1994 (My local library always has a box of free books sitting by it's back doors and this was in the box. As I love Hitchcock and mysteries I scooped it up!)


Metal Mark-

Listening-
Misfits-boxed set
Samhain-November coming fire
COC-Eye for an eye
Huinca-Sic Semper Tyrannis
Ghouls night out-The mourning after
King Diamond-Them
Black Sabbath-Sabbath bloody sabbath
The Police-Ghost in the machine
Lizzy Borden- 1983 demo
Damien-Stop this war

Reading-
Ten Gallon War
Various graphic novels

Watching-
Trollhunter
Columbo season three
Gojira
King Kong (original)
Stryper-Live in Indonesia

***Feel free to add what you are checking out.

Jimi Jamison-Never To Late

Frontiers Records
2012

If it's Frontiers Records it's got to be AOR or melodic rock right? The answer is of course yes. Journeyman singer Jami Jamison (Target, Cobra and Survivor) has quite the resume. With collaborations with ZZ Top, (reportedly Billy Gibbons refers to Jimi as the fourth member of ZZ Top) Joe Walsh and numerous others (not to mention  having the Billboard hit "Burning Heart") Jami Jamison (try saying that one fast 10 times in a row!) obviously has talent. Of course it's also obvious that these sort of solo outings are, at best, often hit or miss. According to the promo Jami's solo career actually started in 1991 with the release of “When Love Comes Down” followed by “Empires” in 1999. "Empires" included the theme, "I'm Always Here" for Baywatch. In a nutshell that should tell you a little about where this one leads. On one hand it's excellent melodic rock/AOR with flashy guitar work and plenty of synthesizers to make you think it's the eighties all over again. With tracks like "Street Survivor" you can almost picture an 80's movie about an ex-athlete getting one last shot at glory. Since these days there is still a small (but very loyal and very vocal) audience for this sort of stuff Jami Jamison should be able to find his niche. And honestly it isn't a bad album at all. It's got a very slick sound and the songs are catchy, but it all seems a bit too "shiny" if you know where I'm coming from. There are moments when bands like Survivor and Whitesnake come to mind and then there are times when this sounds way too much like soundtrack rock from an era that does not necessarily need to be relived. If synthesizer-driven rock butters your toast or makes you feel all warm and fuzzy then by all means lay your money down. You could do much worse. 

Custard-Infested By Anger

Pure Steel Records
2012

It's a sad state of affairs when all the good band names have already been taken and you are forced to settle with "Custard". I'm not sure the reasoning beyond that call. Especially as this German heavy metal act offer a nice take on the genre. Formed in 1987 this band has seen more line-up changes then I would have room to write down here in this article. Regardless of that album number five is a nice offering of US-inspired metal from a band that obviously has European power metal roots. It doesn't always knock you off your seat, but it does offer inspiring moments and a sound that is heavy enough to see you easily take on the day ahead of you. With a steady line-up and an eye focused towards traditional heavy metal (since the European power metal scene is a drag frankly) Custard could be on the path to real "fortune and glory" kids...

Playing the Misfits for Halloween

So Halloween is almost here and that means jack o' lanterns, horror movies, trick or treating with the kids maybe, but it also definitely means that it's time to play some Misfits. Not that you can't listen to them other times of the year, but this definitely their season. I don't mean Jerry Only lead Misfits or the short lived version with Michale Graves. Definitely not Danzig, don't even get me started on that mess. Now Glenn's mid-80's band Samhain would be a good choice as well for Halloween listening as well. With the slow foggy atmosphere and deep mysterious tones, but really the best choice for the soundtrack for my favorite holiday of the year is classic original run Misfits. Which songs you choose to play is up to you because for the most part as long as it's from that classic run you can't go wrong no matter what you pick. Although tracks like "London Dungeon" and "I turned into a martian" did more to define the band then did songs like "Rat Fink" and "Return of the fly". Still I say any Misfits is proper listening for October 31st and the weeks leading up to it. Normally I pull out the Misfits box set from some time ago and just play those over and over. Unfortunately I was too young to have gotten to them when they were still around in their prime. I discovered them in the mid-80's through trading tapes with different people. I remember being amazed by the fuzzy, blurry and raw mayhem with all the monster movie lyrics and easy to get into choruses. Tracks like "Skulls" and "Horror hotel" had me hooked from when they first attacked my eardrums. This is still a band that I enjoy and look forward to Halloween as I listen to as much Misfits as I can cram in.

****What are some of your favorite Misfits songs?

Corrosion of confomity-Eye for an eye

Candlelight
2012

Count me as one of those who definitely preferred pre-1991 Corrorsion of conformity. You know back in the 80's when they were a hardcore act instead of the mostly lukewarm stoner rock they have been churning out for over two decades. Their debut was originally recorded in 1983 and then released in 1984 and now it's getting another CD re-issue. First off this is not a classic like 1985's Animosity or 1987's Technocracy. Don't storm off just yet. This album is not must hear perhaps and if you are in the mood for polish and precision then you are definitely barking up the wrong tree. However this is raw sludge crossed with hardcore with lots of faults and holes, but also it's fueled by adrenaline and the desire to create heavy, fast smack you in the mouth kind of music. Much like DRI's first album this is a collection of shorts sports of music, noise and other creations. This album featured Eric Eycke growling, spitting and driving his sore throat through these songs. His vocals are the kind you are either going to love or hate. I lean towards the first choice as although I think the pacing of his vocals wasn't always on at least he sounded very excited and that goes a ways in my book. The rest of the line-up is the trio that went on to do Animosity so in case you are too young or have been living under a moss covered rock that would be Mike Dean on bass, Reed Mullin on drums and Woody Weatherman on guitars. So these guys were probably listening to Sabbath, Dead Kennedys and others as tried get their style together. Many of the songs don't sound like they were written or crafted as much as they just sound like four guys opened up and let rip whatever they had. What followed was a mixed bag with some songs like "College Town" or "Excluded' sounding like impromptu jams where someone should not have pressed the record button for other. Other tracks "Minds are controlled", "What?" and the title track show parts of the potential this band had somewhere beneath the surface. The parts of this album that have appealed to me since I first heard it over 25 years ago still draw me in now. The album is a mess in many places and it could used a bit direction, but then again the haphazard approach it part of it's appeal as well. This version like other also includes the "Six songs with Mike singing" EP which I highly recommend. Not a great album at all but if you like speed and and noise with some slowed down pieces thrown then you may like this one.

KILLING JOKE- MMXII

Spinefarm US
2012

Sometime between October 1978 and early 1979 in Notting Hill, London, England a band was unearthed. It was dug from the ground and brought to life by some unknown and unseen force. Killing Joke is what it would come to be known on although this was certainly no joke...not in the least. Once "Turn to Red" was issued in October of 1979 (the band's debut EP was only a hint of what was to come as 1980's "Killing Joke" set fire to the world) Killing Joke was on the move. Here it is October of 2012 and we find ourselves staring blankly into the eyes of the band's fifteenth studio album and wondering just how it is this band can be so spot-on relevant to this crumbling world around us? This is the work of a band that has reached deep within to craft a deeply moving album that depicts the end of the world as we see it. This world is dark and dying and in the hands of Killing Joke music is just the perfect tool to showcase the collapse. Killing Joke give us an album that is heavy and harsh and unnerving. It's classic Killing Joke with metal and mechanical forces equally fighting for extreme control. With the original lineup of Jaz Coleman, Geordie, Youth and Big Paul working together as one untied entity we are presented with an album that explores themes that are "political, anti-capitalist and forward-looking". Album 15 bows down to no person and no thing. It translates the feeling of emptiness and loss so many people are feeling in the wake of record unemployment, poverty and hopelessness into a battle cry. The roof is one fire and Killing Joke are fanning the flames of discontent.

Bison b.c.-Lovelessness

Metal Blade Records
2012


For their latest album, "Lovelessness", Canada's Bison b.c. decided it was time to take a break from producer Jesse Gander. For the new album the band was looking for someone who would be able to put to tape the essence of their intense, high-energy live shows. What could be better then to transform the insanity of this heavy band (who have shared the stage with acts like Baroness, 3 Inches Of Blood,  Priestess, etc) from a live setting into a studio-album? Not much I would dare to say! To that end the band worked with producer Sanford Parker (Yob, Pelican, Rwake, Yakuza, Nachtmystium, Zoroaster, Unearthly Trance, etc) at Soma and Electrical Audio Studios in Chicago to record an album that is full-on HEAVY and INTENSE. The band (James Farwell-guitar/vocals, Dan And-guitar/vocals, Masa Anzai-bass and Matt Wood-drums) achieve that and then some. If you have never heard the band before (in which case I weep for your soul!) the band plays a form of metal that is a maxed-out/freaked-out mix of doom (without the ill-effects of doom), stoner metal (without slowing things down) and HEAVY/LOUD and THRASHTASTIC  metal. Is "thrashtastic" even a word? No, but try finding a better way to describe a band that plays bottom-heavy, fuzzed out heavy metal without the fuzz. It's kind of an impossible task simply because most "tags" fail to do justice to the intensity of this act. Bison b.c. have been compared to many other acts, but that seems to be a cop-out to me. This Canadian 4-piece easily stand on their own merits and "Lovelessness" is simply soul-crushing rock.

Access Denied-Touch of Evil

Pitch Black Records
2012


Don't judge a band by their cover. "Touch Of Evil" might be a terribly generic album cover (it's very uninspiring to say the least), but female-fronted Access Denied are anything but uninspiring. This Polish band was formed in 2003 and, after releasing a series of demos and a DVD, released their debut album (“The Memorial”) in 2009. The band is lead by vocalist Agnieszka Sulichand and on their sophomore release (The album was originally a limited edition self-release in 2011 and it's now being re-released by Pitch Black Records with an exclusive bonus video of the song “One Night” (explicit version) tacked on) the name of the game is straight-ahead, raw traditional heavy metal. Reportedly the band started off playing rock music and, to a degree, you can hear how the transformation has lead to a hard rock/heavy metal sound. There is still some primitive rock lingering in the background noise although don't let that fool you as this is anything but rock. Without a doubt Access Denied have been listening to the classics (Judas Priest, Dio, Iron Maiden, Black Sabbath) as well as bands like Grim Reaper, Merciful Fate and Girlschool. Aided by guitarists Jacek “Jaca” Kolankiewicz  & Mateusz “Matołek” Krauze , bassist Paweł “Wolv” Nejczew  and drummer Michał Łysejko (what, no nickname?) the band's sophomore release sounds as if it were recorded on a shoe-string budget which works in their favor. It also sounds as if they are struggling to find their own sound/take on heavy metal. They might not be anywhere near ready to stake a claim at being the most original female-fronted heavy metal act out there , but they score extra points in my book for at least giving it a try and playing a style that isn't overly polished or slick.

Interview with Mike Notte of The Approach and the Execution

The "No drummer No problem!" promo pic!

A rare glimpse at the wild and crazy animal known as Mikey in it's natural setting!

It's been awhile since we last checked in with Akron's own The Approach and The Execution so I decided to play catch-up with vocalist/guitarist (and all around cool guy) Mike "Mikey" Notte to see what the word is. Since my last interview with the group (link below boys and girls) the band has had a bit of a shake-up in the line-up. Julie Peterson (vocals/keys) and Riley Kovac (drums) are out and in there place are Sam Wilson and Gabe Dickey respectfully. Well, that isn't quite accurate as Sam joins fellow guitarists Mike Notte and Andy Fisher. Three guitarists you might be asking? Yep. And yes, it does make the band all the more epic. It's a wall of guitars and it is good...damn good. With lyricist Jeremy Langham dropping his guitar in favor of lead vocals only (which is a natural fit for him anyway) and the dependable Nick Kozono handling bass duties the band seems poised to take that next step. According to Mike the new album is "coming along steadily, but at a slower pace than we anticipated. We are making sure that every song can stand on it's own feet and not get lost in the mix of the entirety of the album." With a few songs already  "on the drawing board" the follow-up to "The Blood March" will no doubt be epic. One of the newest songs, "Hymn of Victory", has been well received by fans. The Approach and the Execution plan to release the new single it as a free download in "Late Winter/Early Spring" with the new album hopefully dropping in Summer of 2013.While sadly we don't have access to time travel yet (otherwise I'd skip ahead to next summer so I could hear the album!) you do have an opportunity to hear new music in a live setting. The band is looking at playing at the Agora Theater this Friday (Oct. 19th) with Skeletonwitch (no doubt that would be a killer show!) and have an opening slot on the works for Peabodys on Nov 17th. Having seen the band live I can honestly say they give 100% effort and play with conviction and intensity. Trust me folks their shows never disappoint. For information and tickets to the Skeletonwitch show be sure to visit the band's online store at www.theapproachandtheexecution.bigcartel.com. For information about the Agora show be sure to drop the band a message on their Facebook page. And, if for some unknown and unreal reason, you have not heard "The Blood March" it is available for a mere $5.00 at the group's online store! That's right, this killer LP is on sale for only $5.00! How often do you have a chance to pick up a CD like this (you can read my review at the link below) chock-full of epic music and all for the price of a $5.00 foot long? Not very often that's for sure! There are also cool t-shirts to be found at the store as well. And just in time for Christmas! So, do yourself a favor and check out the band live and be sure to spoil the people that you love this year on Christmas with goodies from your friends in The Approach and the Execution!

http://metalmark.blogspot.com/search?q=the+approach+and+the+execution-the+blood+march

Holy Grail-Dark Passenger

Prosthetic
2012

The last time I heard Holy Grail was less than a year ago when they were doing some  covers on Seasons Bleedings. They were alright cover songs, but it didn't really do much to fill the void as we waited and are still waiting for the band's follow-up album to 2010's Crisis in Utopia. Well that wait will soon be over as "Ride the void" will drop in January, 2013. Okay, that's still a quarter of a year away so the band and their label are giving us a brief sampling by putting out Dark Passenger which is the first single from the upcoming release. It's always hard to judge a lot from one track. However those who liked their debut won't be disappointed by this song. They dip into NWOBHM territory following the likes of Maiden and Diamond Head and combine with some heavier riffage. However they seem to gotten a stronger grip on integrating some strong melodies into their sound as well. In fact this track has a smooth flow that shows some definite growth from their previous work. This song was chock full of classic style metal and it never really let up. Nice work and I can definitely add "Ride the void" to the list 2013 albums that I am looking forward to.

F.E.A.S.T.-Strong, Wild And Free

Avenue Of Allies
2012

In 2010 F.E.A.S.T. issued their debut album "Rise". Here it is two years later (time flies when your having a good time as they say!) and F.E.A.S.T. are back with "Strong, Wild And Free". Vocalist/guitarist Fabri Kiareli is the man with the plan when it comes to this melodic hard rock/ heavy metal band. In reality this band is probably as much a heavy rock outfit as they are a hard rock/heavy metal entity. With Fabri Kiareli having been influenced by the likes of Eddie Van Halen, Randy Rhoads and Ace Frehley there are indeed some tasty licks to be found on the band's sophomore output. Musically, F.E.A.S.T. pulls in all sorts of bands ranging from Scorpions, Dokken, Cinderella, Giant, AC/DC, Kiss, Aerosmith and Nelson to even Savatage (the Savatage-inspired "Children Of Beslan" is quite good) meaning you have one rather interesting listen in store. There is even some appreciation shown towards the greats as "Tell Me You're Ready" is "a tune cut from the same cloth as a classic MSG or UFO". It's not the only song that smells of classic hard rock and, truthfully, that saves this album from being just another melodic hard rock/heavy metal affair. As much as I wanted to knock this one down a couple of points for opening with a soundbite of "You are the 99%" I can't argue the serious rock-steady appeal of  title cut/album opener "Strong, Wild And Free" and this album keeps itself busy all the way through. It's got crunchy rockers (the title cut and the almost sleazy/glam metal number, "Pleasure And Pain") to spare and, not to worry folks, the obligatory ballad in "A Million Years". So really it has a little bit of everything for everyone.

Damien Echols-Life After Death

Blue Rider Press
2012


For those of you who do not know the name, Damien Echols was one of The West Memphis Three. Don't know who The West Memphis Three are? Well, they were three men (the other two being Jason Baldwin and Jessie Miskelley) who were charged with the deaths of three 8-year-old boys in 1994. Echols received a death sentence (for what became known as the Robin Hood Hill murders) and spent close to eighteen years on Death Row before being released in 2011. Before finally being released The West Memphis Three had found support from not only the general public, but celebrities and even several of the victim's family members. The murders had turned a town inside and out and, as a means of quieting down the public outrage, the police and prosecutors rushed to convict someone (anyone) before doing a proper investigation. This book is not about the case (if your interested in all the details there are articles out there about how these three young men were used as scapegoats-they were goth/heavy metal kids and outsiders), but rather about the time Echols spent in prison and then his release. For me this case was of particular interest as I felt the stigma that came with being a heavy metal fanatic (the early 90s was a time when many of us were made to feel like outsiders) then as I still deal with it now. The fact that Echols was able to overcome spending half of his life on Death Row is nothing short of amazing (I don't care that he had the support of people like Johnny Depp while he was in prison-it's still prison and to me there would be nothing worse then being away from your loved ones and not knowing if you'd ever be able to walk freely again) and this book is a must-read for not only people that followed the case, but also for those of you interested in what it is like to live a life locked up in a cage.While "West of Memphis" (a forthcoming documentary on the case) will hopefully help clear their names (as far as the law goes they are still "guilty" as the prosecutors will never admit they made a mistake) and allow them the chance to fully follow their dreams. Considering the fact  that West Memphis, Arkansas let the real killer (or killers) walk free it would also be nice if justice could be found for these three young boys. Hopefully this book (along with the upcoming documentary) will keep the focus on finding out what really happened to those poor three 8-year old boys so justice can finally be served.

Current playlist

Andy-
Listening to:
Metal Church-The Dark (With the news that the band is reforming I dusted off this classic)
Exodus-Pleasures Of The Flesh (Was in the mood for some more old-school thrash after listening to Metal Church)
Hanoi Rocks-Dim Sum (Great 4-track EP)
Rolling Stones-Some Girls (Quite a few of my favorite Stones' songs are on here)
Sons Of Metal Compilation (A rather nifty comp. with everything from Ugly Kid Joe to Napalm Death)
Exodus-Fabulous Disaster (See above...)
Possessed-Seven Churches (Another classic...)
Noisehunter-Spell of Noise (Unheard of heavy metal)
Rolling Stone Magazine-Old School Hip Hop (Don't be a hater now!)
Kiss-Destroyer (Having listened to and reviewed the new Kiss album I felt inspired to dust this one off too)

Watching:
The Satanic Rites Of Dracula-Special Deluxe Addition (Comes with bonus copy of the soundtrack) Zombie 4 (Got in a trade in and yes, it is pretty bad)
Zombie 5 (Same deal, got in a trade in. Only difference is? Well, it's really bad!)

Reading:
Book Of The Dead (It's October and it's all about the zombies baby!)

Metal Mark-

Listening-
Holy Grail-Dark passenger (single)
Ostrogoth-Full moons eyes
Black Sabbath-Heaven and hell
Knightmare-Mindless Mayhem
Killing Joke-MMXII
Bison BC-Lovelessness
Mos Generator-Nomads The Kosher Komp vol. 3
Lankhmar-Prejudiced Ghostbusters soundtrack

Watching-
Various episodes of the Dukes of Hazzard
Gamera movies
Hobo with a shotgun
Rundown
Count Dracula
Black Torment
Beginning of the end

Reading-
still trying to get into JK Rowling's new one
Ten Gallon war-The NFL's Cowboys, The AFL's Texans and the feud for Dallas's pro football future

Playing- Scooby Doo-The spooky swamp

***What are you checking out?