Hammer Fight-Profound and Profane

Napalm Records
2016

Active since 2011, Hammer Fight (whose name I fucking love!) is a Atlantic City, New Jersey four-piece that just recently-released their major label debut, "Profound and Profane". Initially created by two former members of the death metal/grindcore act Call the Paramedics, Hammer Fight made their studio debut in 2012 with a self-titled EP. The loud & proud "Profound and Profane" comes three years after the release of the full-length "Chug of War" (Horror Pain Gore Death Productions) and it answers the question of what you would get if you were throw the likes of Motörhead, Slayer, "Bonded By Blood"-era Exodus, Zeke, S.N.F.U., Discharge, Cro-Mags, Sex Pistols, and English Dogs into a blender that's already been filled to flowing with cheap beer and M.D. 20/20! Obviously it's not always pretty and this can be one those sketchy cocktails that is hard to swallow, but when Hammer Fight does manage to strike the right cords it's a thing of real beauty! 

Night Viper-Night Viper

Svart Records
2016

Night Viper is a heavy metal band from Gothenburg, Sweden. And when I say they are a heavy metal band I mean just that. This is pure, unfiltered and no-nonsense heavy metal that is just the way that dear old Mom used to make it! Night Viper is old-fashioned, tried and true heavy metal and man alive is it ever refreshing! Formed in 2014 by lead vocalist Sofie Lee Johansson (whose voice absolutely kicks it!) and veteran guitarist Tom Sutton (Horisont, The Order Of Israfel, ex-Church Of Misery), Night Viper has one single to it's name in addition to this stone-cold wicked full-length LP. With a run-time of nearly 39 minutes, "Night Viper" is what you get when a bunch of righteous metal warriors come together with the sole purpose of unleashing fist-banging metal to the masses! As of this writing Night Viper is rounded out by guitarist Emil Ridderstolpe, bassist Ruben Åhlander Persson (Miasmal, ex-Guerilla, ex-Radiation), and drummer Jonna Karlsson and (collectively) it's hard to find a more well-rounded five-piece than this Swedish export! With a label like Svart Records now backing them you can expect even better things in the coming years! When it comes to this gem of a female-fronted heavy metal band we might just be looking at the next BIG thing to come smashing and bashing it's way out of Sweden! You can find this band online by heading here and if you are a fan of classic/traditional heavy metal then make sure to add this self-titled release to your personal collection!!

Fear Theories-The Predator

Crime Records
2016

Fear Theories is a traditional/power metal quartet that hails from Karmøy/Haugesund (Norway) and has been active since 2010. The band is comprised of rhythm guitarist/vocalist Andreas Tjøsvoll, lead guitarist Ole Sønstabø (Einherjer, ex-Hillbilly Blitzkrieg), bassist Joakim Antonsen and drummer Brage Nygaard and sound-wise this recently-released full-length album picks up where their 2013 debut EP, "So It Begins", left off. Musically-speaking this Norwegian band is all but a reflection of their various influences which include not only bands like Iron Maiden and Judas Priest, but anyone & everyone from Halloween to (mid-period) Metallica! Speaking of the "Kill Em' All" ladies, rhythm guitarist/vocalist Andreas Tjøsvoll sometimes sounds like a beefier (and WAY tougher!) James Hetfield while other times he just sounds a bit too rough & raw.  Then again so does the overall mix on Fear Theories' first album so maybe it's not just the vocals that this Norwegian band has in common with the turds in Metallica! Just like on "...and Justice For All" you can play the game "where's the bass?" with Fear Theories' "The Predator" and for a band that lists Motörhead as one of their primary influences that just isn't good! Despite the fact that this album is being put out on Crime Records the band Fear Theories is still unsigned so poorly mixed recordings like this one are not going to help out that cause. Even so, Fear Theories is a band that I can't help but get behind. With a proper budget and the right kind of producer (ie: one that pushes this band while also playing to their strengths) this four-piece could really put out one hell of a heavy metal release. While they are not quite their in no way would I throw in the towel! All these guys need is few touch ups here and there and we could be looking at another solid Norwegian metal band! 

Atala-Shaman's Path of the Serpent

Self-Release/Independent
2016

Atala is a stoner rock/desert rock trio that hails from Twentynine Palms, California and is fronted by guitarist/vocalist Kyle Stratton (Domiculumn, Rise Of The Willing). The forthcoming "Shaman's Path of the Serpent" is Atala's latest release and this "show no mercy" slab of emotionally heavy (and raw as fuck!) rock  was engineered by none other than Billy Anderson (Sleep, Melvins, Mastodon). Bassist John Chavarria (Sons Of Serro) and drummer Jeff Tedtaotao (Forever Came Calling) round things out and for a "simple" power trio this California act sure kicks up a shit ton of dirt and debris! When it comes to this (fuzzed to all fuck!) four-song release it would be best to strap yourself in tightly and prepare yourself for one hell of a deadly sandstorm! Especially seeing as "Shaman's Path of the Serpent" is about as unrelenting as stoner & desert rock gets! 

Free Music Monday: Bull Funk Zoo-"Would You?" Single

Self-Release/Independent
2016

 
"Would You?" is a brand new (name-your-own-price) single courtesy of the unique & largely experimental Dubai project known as Bull Funk Zoo (aka producer, multi instrumentalist, vocalist, and skilled guitarist Assaad Lakkis). It follows a 2013 self-titled album and finds Bull Funk Zoo taking fuzzed out and extremely dirty funk garage rock on a quick (drug-fueled) trip back to the early eighties where alternative/indie music could be anything that you dared to dream up. My original intention was to post this far-out single over the weekend, but this past week or so has been as  funked-up & frenzied as this short and sweet song is! You can (or really most certainly should!) download this fuzzy and fun funk-rock single by heading here and while you are on Bull Funk Zoo's bandcamp page it wouldn't be a bad idea at all to check out the full-length "Bull Funk Zoo". While that album was recorded with the help of a backing band, "Would You?" finds main man Assaad Lakkis going at it alone and doing a smashing job in the process! While this free single won't appeal to every one's tastes, "Would You?" should still be able to find a nice home with fans of gritty/dirty garage rock and fuzzed-covered funk n' roll!

Dexter Ward-Rendezvous with Destiny

No Remorse Records
2016

For those of you who are not in the know (in which case why not?), Dexter Ward is a Greek five-piece that was formed back in 2009 and has a back-catalog that includes one promotional demo, a lone single, one split release with Black Soul Horde, and a full-length album entitled "Neon Lights"(Iron on Iron Records). That particular release (which everyone should have in their collection by now!) was a love note to not only fans of classic and traditional metal, but to all of us who simply love & adore N.W.O.B.H.M.-flavored eighties metal and it easily proved to be one of 2011's BEST albums! Fast-forward some five years to the here and now and we find this absolutely amazing metal band not only alive and well, but once more kicking it up old-school style(!) with the soon-to-be-released (and must-have by any means necessary!) "Rendezvous with Destiny". There's no need to worry about the dreaded sophomore slump when it comes to this killer metal band which took it's name from a character in a novel by HP Lovecraft and is brilliantly lead by one-time Battleroar vocalist Marco Concoreggi (Lost Lullaby, Tilarids). On their second full-length album we find Dexter Ward once again  blazing a completely-torched path between the N.W.O.B.H.M. scene and eighties metal and it is truly a beautiful thing to behold! On "Rendezvous with Destiny" Dextar Ward* holds nothing back as they combine elements of Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Saxon, Jaguar, and Dragonslayer with the likes of Warlord, Culprit, Omen, Metal Church (debut album only!), Cities, and (early) Savatage. Of course this underrated (and frankly under appreciated!) five-piece does add their own touches to the finished product, but no matter which way you slice it you still end up with one hell of a heavy metal album that is an instant classic! Frankly speaking, if you thought "Neon Lights" was something special then you are going to flip the f**k out for Dextar Ward's upcoming release!  



*Dexter Ward also includes:

Guitarist Manolis "Barraza" Karazeris (Finger Of Scorn, ex-Battleroar)
Guitarist Akis Pastras
Bassist John Lumas Tsimas (Endomain, ex-Airged L'amh, ex-Black Sun)
Drummer Stelios Darakis (The Eternal Suffering, ex-Casus Belli, ex-Lloth, ex-Mortal Torment, ex-Sacred Outcry)

As a side note there will be at least two different versions of "Rendezvous with Destiny". There will be the "normal" eight song release that I was given for this review and then there will be a limited digipak edition that includes the bonus track "Robocop". Seeing as the digipak bonus track features Randy "Thrasher" Foxe (ex-Manilla Road) on drums and keyboards that is the one that I would suggest!

Current Playlist

What a crazy week! I should have known that I would get very little done. What with the two kids being off of school and having friends over for sleepovers and what not. As you'll have no doubt noticed I got next to nothing accomplished and even this posting is a day late! With that said there is always next week right?

Listening to:

Angel Witch-S/T
Cutty Sark-Heroes
Kiss-Revenge
Alice Cooper-Trash
Sue Saad and the Next-S/T
Vardis-The World's Gone Mad
AC/DC-Highway To Hell Rankelson-Hungry For Blood plus The Bastards Of Rock N' Roll
Frankie Goes To Hollywood-Welcome To The Pleasuredome



Watching:

Daredevil Season 2

Assassin's Blade-Agents of Mystification

Pure Steel Records
2016

Lead by one-time Exciter front-man Jacques Bélanger*, Assassin's Blade is a new heavy metal/power metal band whose members hail from both Canada and Sweden. With a run-time that exceeds the fifty minute mark, "Agents of Mystification" is Assassin's Blade's solid-enough debut and it finds lead singer Jacques Bélanger joined by bassist/song writer/lyricist Peter Svensson (Cult of the Fox, Goatess, Void Moon, Stonegriff (live), ex-Cross Bow, ex-Devil Lee Rot, ex-Trap**), guitarist/song writer David Stranderud (Instigator, ex-Disaffection, ex-Devil Lee Rot, ex-Portrait, ex-Autopsy Torment, ex-Cross Bow) and drummer Marcus Rosenkvist (Void Moon, ex-Indemnity). Author Janne Stark*** (Constancia, Locomotive Breath, Mountain of Power, Overdrive, Planet Alliance, ex-Overheat, ex-Balls, ex-Paradize, ex-Zello) provides lead solos on much of  "Agents of Mystification", but otherwise those are the key players at work on Assassin's Blade's first outing. On this recommended METAL release we find lead singer Jacques Bélanger (vocally) moving back and forth between Rob Halford and Bruce Dickinson while his teammates effortlessly work their way through some devilishly-dark material that is as menacing as it it maniacal! Musically-speaking the majority of "Agents of Mystification" is either A) A slick, lean and mean Exciter that is all about traditional heavy metal and dark metal! or B) A  far-heavier  Judas Priest with blood on it's mind. On rare occasions Assassin's Blade sounds like no one other than themselves, but 9 times out of 10 we find his young and hungry band emulating their idols and influences and doing it in such a way as to make you want to follow the latest success for Pure Steel Records! A damn fine release like "Agents of Mystification" shows the metal community that Assassin's Blade means business and that they are ready to take a full swing at today's ever-growing power metal scene. This is a good start from one band that I hope is here to stay!

* Jacques Bélanger played with Exciter on the albums "The Dark Command", "Blood of Tyrants" and "New Testament".

**It might be just a coincidence, but the now defunct Trap released a single entitled "Assassinations".

*** Janne Stark put out the AWESOME (!) Encyclopedia of Swedish Heavy Metal books.

The Phoenix-My Turn To Deal

Demon Doll Records
2016

Formed back in March of 2011 (and citing bands such as Crucified Barbara, Halestorm, and Velvet Revolver as their primary influences*), The Phoenix is a up-and-coming Italian band whose sound & style splits the difference between heavy rock and hard rock/heavy metal. The recently-released "My Turn To Deal" is the first studio recording  from this young band that is made up of rhythm guitarist/vocalist Alice Schecter, lead guitarist/vocalist Lena McFrison, bassist/vocalist Luna Rocket Queen, and drummer Giuli Mousse. This short but solid EP was recorded by Danger Zone's one and only Roberto Priori (!) and it features four songs including the uncompromising title track. The other three songs on "My Turn To Deal" are "Dangerous Girl", "You Can't Stop The Rock 'N' Roll", and "Party Hard". While the beer-soaked "My Turn To Deal" and this EP's wicked fun closing number, "Party Hard" showcase the more laid back/garage band approach of this talented quartet (read: These two tracks put the rock in rock and roll and they rock hard!) the other two tracks on The Phoenix's debut differ in that they offer technical leads in place of punk rock enthusiasm. "Dangerous Girl" (which sadly doesn't live up to it's title) moves matters into power rock/melodic metal territory and for it is (a way to show off the mad lead skills of Lena McFrison) it does work. Meanwhile "You Can't Stop The Rock 'N' Roll" (which unfortunately does not live up to it's name either!) is savvy and a wee bit sassy with all kinds of guitar techniques on display. Even though these two songs are more well-thought out and better-structured they lack the carefree attitude of "My Turn To Deal" and "Party Hard". On one hand it is good to see a band that offers variety. That really isn't something to complain about. But if we're to be completely truthful here (and why shouldn't we be?) this EP has an odd vibe to it and in the end the age-old saying "sometimes less is more" really comes into play. In essence "My Turn To Deal" features two separate versions of this all-female band and for better or worse one side is more appealing than the other. With time this can all be evened out so I really do look forward to hearing more from this Italian heavy rock/hard & heavy band down the line.


*In reality The Poenix is influenced by not just those three previously-mentioned acts, but anyone and everyone from (early) Mötley Crüe, Guns N' Roses, Hanoi Rocks, New York Dolls, and Kiss to The Ramones, Foo Fighters, Girlschool, The Misfits, and The Runaways!)

Current Playlist

How in the hell is it Friday already and did I actually get anything done this week? It sure doesn't seem that way. Granted I did end up babysitting part of Wednesday and then all of Thursday. I'm even babysitting today and tomorrow morning! It's near impossible to sit down and blog when you have a active five year running around your place! But anyway, I still owe everyone a write-up on the new Anthrax album and I'm fairly certain that I'll be able to wrap up some reviews that I've started on Assassin's Blade and the latest release in the "Metal Massacre" series. Even though I will probably be busy next week with my kids being on spring break and all that jazz I'm going to try to cover the latest releases from Atala, Darkage, Night Viper, and Ninja. Meanwhile here's what I've been listening to and what not. As always feel free to share your own lists as we are always interested in what our readers are listening to, watching, and even reading!

Listening to:

Dire Straits-Brothers in Arms
Ozzy Osbourne-The Ultimate Sin (thrift store find)
Meat Loaf-Hits out of Hell (thrift store find)
Armored Saint-March of the Saints
Slayer-Show No Mercy

Watching:

Firefly TV Series

American Head Charge-Tango Umbrella

Napalm Records
2016

"Tango Umbrella" is the forth full-length album from American Head Charge. It follows the 2013 EP, "Shoot", and it arrives 11 years(!) after the release of the band's last full-length recording, "The Feeding". Having heard "The Feeding" I can safely say that "Tango Umbrella" follows a similar path in that it combines hard rock/heavy metal, N.W.O.T.H.M., nu metal, Pantera-like groove metal, and industrial metal into something that is hard as f**K and tens times as freaky! This Minneapolis, Minnesota-based band has always flown slightly under that radar so there's no way of telling whether or not "Tango Umbrella" is the kind of record that is finally going to break them into the mainstream, but either way this is the right kind of album to break stuff to! Due out later this month, "Tango Umbrella" is American Head Charge at their fiercest so fans had better be prepared for a drop-dead serious throw down!
 

Links:

www.headcharge.com
www.facebook.com/AmericanHeadCharge

Over-Under: AC/DC

What is over-under?
This is a feature where each month Andy and I will select a veteran band and then will list which album by that band we think is the most overrated and which album we think is the most underrated. We will also tell a little about why picked those albums. Then if you like you can comment on your choices or just tell us we are nutty for our choices.


Mark's choices-
I very much prefer Bon Scott-era AC/DC to Brian Johnson's time in the band. However both my picks are from Johnson-era albums.

Overrated-

For those about to rock
1981
Following up the huge success of "Back in black" was this album. It hit number one of the charts and AC/DC were huge in 81-82.  I like the title track and Let's get it up and Snowballed are decent. Beyond the rest of the album is mostly filler. I've heard this album many times and still find myself forgetting what some of the songs sounded like. Yes, I'm pretty sure it's the weak songs and not just my failing memory I think plenty of fans still hold this up as a very solid album while I consider it be overproduced and mostly forgettable.

Underrated-

Flick of the switch
1983
I don't if the band waited to long to release this one or maybe it was that heavy metal bands like Priest and Maiden had become more popular between 1981 and 1983. Whatever the reason this album didn't fair well at the time and largely gets dissed even by fans of the band. For me it's a pretty rocking album and one their best with Brian Johnson. I think they had their raw sound rolling on this one and I wore out my cassette copy back in the mid-1980's and I still like the album to this day.



Andy's choices:

I also prefer the Bon Scott-era AC/DC to the Brian Johnson one. That being said, AC/DC put out way more material with Brian Johnson than it ever did with Bon Scott (RIP) so it's only natural that there would be a wider pool from which to draw our conclusions. With talk of Brian Johnson being let out to pasture one does have to wonder if we might see a new frontman in AC/DC. How strange would that be? 

Overrated*-

Black Ice
2008

AC/DC's first studio album in some eight years was hailed by fans and critics alike as a comeback album. It was supposed to mark AC/DC returning to the rock and roll sound of old as previous albums had heavier ties to the blues. Instead of kick ass rock and roll what I heard was a classic band that was way past the sell by date. With Brian Johnson's vocals sounding all but strained to the point of no return(!) AC/DC gave fans a album that way too long and had far too much filler! Maybe a new singer is in order?

Underrated-

Fly on the Wall
1985

I don't know why everyone dogs on this album. Besides featuring the killer "Shake Your Foundations" and the always cool "Sink the Pink" we have some underrated but still solid numbers such as "First Blood," "Playing With Girls," "Stand Up", "Hell Or High Water", "Back in Business", and "Send for the Man". While the title track is a bit of a wash for me I don't mind this album's third single, "Danger". In no way is this my favorite Brian Johnson-era album (as that would obviously be "Back in Black"!), but for what it is, "Fly on the Wall" remains a solid rock and roll release with a splash or two of the blues..



*At first I thought about doing "For Those About To Rock", but since Mark beat me to it the album "Black Ice" will have to do. In all honesty I haven't exactly cared for anything that AC/DC has put out since 1990's "The Razors Edge". While the band has managed to release a few choice singles since the early nineties I have heard far too much filler material from one of my all-time favorite bands!

 

Savage Master-With Whips And Chains

High Roller/ Skol Records
2016

Fans of female-fronted traditional/classic metal would do well to listen up as this is a important message. U.S. occult heavy metal band Savage Master return with album number two in "With Whips And Chains" and to put it in simple words that everyone can understand it is a real gem of a recording! As you can see here Savage Master is a band that I've covered before and while I thought their debut album was a real blast, "Mask of the Devil" has NOTHING on the the metallic masterpiece that is "With Whips And Chains"! Armed with a new drummer in Zach Harris, Louisville, Kentucky-based Savage Master set out to stomp any fears about a sophomore slump with the resulting album in question showing just how far lead vocalist Stacey "Savage" Peak and her companions have come between their rock-solid 2014 debut album and the forthcoming "With Whips And Chains"! Formed in October of 2012 by Stacy Savage and  guitarist Adam Neal (The Hookers), Savage Master set out in life in order to create a unique occult metal band and they achieved that and then some when it came to their highly-recommended debut album. Early on this five-piece band was influenced by the sounds and styles of such classic metal and N.W.O.B.H.M. groups as Coven, Bitch, Warlock, Venom, Exciter, Witchfinder General, Angel Witch, Diamond Head, Warlord, Judas Priest, Candlemass, Danzig, (early) Iron Maiden and Belgian's Acid. Here it is some four years later and we find this underrated outfit pushing their way past the raw and untamed sounds that were present on "Mask of the Devil" in order to deliver a new album that is far more polished and technical than the primitive* nature of their debut! That's not to say that I don't appreciate everything that Savage Master did on their first album. I loved "Mask of the Devil"! But whereas their debut album was grilled to perfection sirloin steak this new disc is grand A filet mignon! Not only has Stacy Savage improved as a vocalist (something which I would have never thought possible as she already had this incredibly strong voice!), but the band as a whole has really stepped up it's game! On their sophomore album we find Savage Master (which is incidentally rounded out by guitarist Larry Myers and bassist Brandon "BB Gunz" Brown) taking the best parts of their 2014 album (raw and dark metal, thrash, hard & heavy N.W.O.B.H.M., etc.) and then adding in slicker & sicker guitar solos, crushing bass lines and a new and improved drum sound in order that their new disc ends up being as wicked and evil as humanly demonically possibly! When it comes to sincere occult heavy metal and sinister heavy metal-infused thrash this 10-track album is as good as it gets folks.

*"Mask of the Devil" brilliantly combined seventies occult rock, eighties metal, traditional/classic heavy metal and the many different sounds and styles of N.W.O.B.H.M. movement with the raw and primitive nature of Venom and Exciter. Toss in the punk-inspired N.W.O.B.H.M. sound of Iron Maiden's first two albums and you will come close to what Savage Master achieved on their first album. But as great as it was, "Mask of the Devil" pails in comparison to the tighter and way more structured sound that is found on "With Whips And Chains". The key thing to take away from all of this is that such musical growth is not only to be expected, but it should be highly encouraged! Savage Master has grown and matured between album number one and album number two and fans of this occult heavy metal act will just love the ends results!

Free Metal Monday: Happy Metal Annihilation Vol. 5

How's this for a Free Metal Monday offering? This fantastic sampler from Asher Media Relations (which was actually released back on December 11, 2015) features a grand total of 51 tracks! That's right friends. Asher Media Relations' holiday sampler "Happy Metal Annihilation Vol. 5" has fifty one songs on it making it nothing short of EPIC! I'm not sure how it is that I managed to miss it the first time around, but either way here it is and it is nothing short of AMAZING! Available as a free download, "Happy Metal Annihilation Vol. 5" starts off with Accursed Spawn's "Clotheshanger Abortion" and then works it's way through a impressive track list before ending with the XUL cut "Orbit of Nemesis". In-between these two numbers there is something for everyone as far as metal tastes go so if you are looking for a cool playlist to get you through the work week ahead then this is it my friends!

Zamboni-Zamboni

Self-Release/Independent
2016

Appropriately-enough formed in October of 2010, Zamboni is a punk-infused crossover/thrash metal band whose two founding members (Robert Orr-guitar, vox, mixing, engineering and Chris Butera-bass, vox, artwork) hail from Brooklyn, NY and Wantage, NJ. The self-titled "Zamboni" is this quirky band's first full-length album and it follows in the footsteps of 2013's "Sucks! The Stupid EP" and a couple of releases from 2011*. On this flat-out fun (!) nine-track album we're treated to a vast array of influences that range from thrash (Testament, Exodus, Kreator, Overkill, Megadeth, Lääz Rockit, Anthrax, and Forbidden) to crossover (The Accused, C.O.C., Suicidal Tendencies, M.O.D., Cryptic Slaughter, Leeway, and D.R.I. ) with a few cool odds and ends (Carnivore, Dead Kennedys, S.N.F.U., October 31, and The Ramones) tossed in for good measure! While "Zamboni" itself features a pair of guest drummers (and good ones at that!) in a live setting members Robert Orr and Chris Butera will utilize a drum machine from this point forward. That's neither here nor there really as "Zamboni" is the subject at hand and this is one hell of a groovy topic that you are going to want to invest time in over and over again! With great song titles like "Nuclear Hatred", "Brain Hemorrhage", "Norman Bates", "Killer Croc", "Stick em", and "World War Z" you should have a pretty good idea of what you're getting yourself into ahead of time, but just in case let's just say that a album like "Zamboni" could effortlessly sit between Slayer and S.O.D. in your collection! You can pre-order this short but sweet album by clicking on this link. Incidentally that same link will give you a chance to hear the awesome crossover/street metal number that is "The Greater Evil" and it's just one of many cool tunes that make up this highly-recommend debut album from Zamboni!


* In 2011 alone the band released a demo entitled "Blood on the Ice", the aptly-titled "Mother of the Resistance EP," and the self-explanatory album, "Live Stupidity". Zamboni's back-catalog can be downloaded for free by heading over to the group's bandcamp page that is provided below. 

Links:

https://zamboni.bandcamp.com/album/zamboni
https://www.facebook.com/Zamboni666
https://twitter.com/ZamboniMetal

Saturday Singles: Helleborus-Coils

Self-Release/Independent
2015

Helleborus is a two-piece melodic black metal/death metal band that hails from Manitou Springs, Colorado and takes it's name from a poisonous flower that blooms in Winter. The group is comprised of vocalist/lyricist Wyatt Houseman (Akhenaten, ex-Execration) and multi-instrumentalist/producer Jerred Houseman (Akhenaten, Bohemian Grave, ex-Execration) and from what I've been able to gather these two brothers will release their debut album, "The Carnal Sabbath", sometime in the very near future. The interesting single "Coils" was released last year and this well-constructed & downright intriguing number should easily appeal to fans of Satyricon as well as those fine folks who like there blackened death metal to be melodic and doom-laden to the core! Be sure to follow this up-and-coming black metal band as I have no doubt that they will be going places! You can head here to check out there Facebook page.

Current Playlist

Well friends it's Friday again and as much as I hope to get everything reviewed that I had promised life got in the way. With my son having half-days due to finals and my daughter getting sick I ended up way busier than expected. Being a single father of two teenagers certainly comes with it's own unique set of challenges especially when you have full-custodial rights and an ex that doesn't even live in the same state! But I digress. For this week I hope to wrap up a review on the new Anthrax disc and cover the likes of Savage Master and American Head Charge. Beyond that it will just have to be a wait and see game as I have a lot of other things on my plate right now. But, that's another story for another day. For now please feel free to share your own lists and as always keep things loud and proud!

Listening to:

Kreator-Extreme Agression
Butthole Surfers-Independent Worn Saloon
AC/DC-Dirty Deeds Down Dirt Cheap
Ozzy Osbourne-Tribute
B.O.C.-Secret Treaties
S.N.F.U.-...And No One Else Wanted to Play
Zamboni-Zamboni
Uriah Heep-Abominog
Revolver Presents The Dark Side
Sacred Few-Beyond The Iron Walls

Watching:

Demons
City of the Living Dead
Day of the Dead
The Prowler

Reading:

The Hammer Story

Terror-Legion of Gore (7" EP)

Hells Headbangers Records
2016

Terror is a on-again, off-again, on-again Cleveland thrash band that can trace it's roots all the way back to the mid-eighties. I first discovered these guys on the 1990 compilation  "Heavy Artillery" and since then I've tried to keep an eye on their comings and goings. Between 1987 and 1995 this raw thrash band released a dozen demos(!) and those recordings eventually made their way onto two compilations. This 7-inch single features two songs from Terror's demo days that have been re-recorded for this day and age. "Legion of Gore" includes not only an updated & improved version of the title track, but a new take on "Carving Techniques". Both tracks sound like the Terror of old as they brutally combine classic eighties thrash and raw nineties thrash into a beast that is absolutely gnarly! Once again active, Terror could easily give extreme metal fans something to get excited about as there is FINALLY talk of new material! Since Terror was last active way back in 2002 this is some damn fine news for long-time fans and those who like their thrash metal to be as nasty and ugly as it gets!

Scarlet Anger-Freak Show

Hänsel & Gretel
2016

Scarlet Anger is a Luxembourg-based heavy/thrash metal act that was formed in 2007 by vocalist Joe Block and guitarist Fred Molitor. In late 2009 the group (which by this point also featured the services of long-time bassist Vince Niclou) put out it's first recording entitled "La realidad es triste..." and that four-track demo would eventually be followed by the highly-regarded 2011 EP, "Kill the King". That twenty plus minute EP marked a change in style for Scarlet Anger as they picked up the pace, packed on the aggression and went full-speed ahead into thrash metal 101 territory. One year after that fateful occasion (one which saw not only praise from not fans and critics alike, but actual label interest!) the band issued their first full-length album. Released on the label Dust on the Tracks on May 11, 2012, "Dark Reigh" was also well-received by the general listening public and that Bay Area thrash- infused LP would help pave the way for the band's sophomore album, "Freak Show". It's worth noting that in-between "Dark Reigh" and the soon-to-be-released "Freak Show" this hard-hitting outfit gave fans the independently-released single, "Stupid Boy". The reason I bring that up is because Scarlet Anger's forthcoming sophomore album includes a song that is titled "An Unbelievable Story of a Stupid Boy". As I haven't heard the late October, 2012 track "Stupid Boy" I won't comment as to whether or not "An Unbelievable Story of a Stupid Boy" is a re-working of said song or not. I simply found it interesting, but then again so is the vast majority of songs on the aptly-titled and sincerely-recommended "Freak Show"! And those unique songs would of course be:

1. Awakening of the Elder God
2. Attack of the Insidious Invader
3. The Haunted Place – House of Lost Souls
4. Welcome to the Freak show
5. The Abominable Master Gruesome
6. Through the Eyes of the Sufferer
7. The Thing Without a Name
8. On the Road to Salvation
9. An Unbelievable Story of a Stupid Boy
10. Deadly Red Riding Hood

If you're looking at those song titles and wondering if Scarlet Anger is a (maybe just maybe) a little sick & twisted around the edges then let me just say that you wouldn't be all that far off. Drawing their inspiration from classic eighties & nineties comics and horror stories, Scarlet Anger has created a colorful album that is lyrically-rich and (thankfully) about as far from ordinary as one can get! Musically-speaking this one falls somewhere between traditional heavy metal, dark metal and power/thrash metal and for once we're talking about a band that doesn't particularly sound like anyone else! Scarlet Anger simply doesn't go for the whole cookie-cutter metal thing or at least they don't on the well-constructed "Freak Show". These days the band is rounded out by guitarist Jeff Buchette (ex-Rude Revelation) and drummer Alain "Skeelo" Flammang (Chris & Band, ex-Dreaming in Red, ex-Man Made Suicide, ex-Mindpatrol) and as far as individual performances go there are no weak links in Scarlet Anger's current line-up. Scarlet Anger will released "Freak Show" on March 18th so if you are a fan of classic metal, dark metal or heavy power metal/thrash be sure to mark that date down!

N.W.O.B.H.M. Wednesday: Salem-Dark Days

Pure Steel Records
2016

Regular visitors to Heavy Metal Time Machine should know that I am a long-time fan of the British metal band Salem. It was back in late November of 2011 that I covered this group's superb 2010 compilation, "In The Beginning...", and I followed that review up with write-ups of the 2013 EP, "X-Rated" and the group's last full-length album, "Forgotten Dreams". I've even had the honor of interviewing this legendary N.W.O.B.H.M. band so when I first heard about their brand new 11-track album here I was stoked! I'm here to today to lay down some cold hard truth for fans of Salem and that is as follows. With a due date of April 29th, "Dark Days" is not only a proper follow-up to Salem's 2013 disc "Forgotten Dreams", but it is easily  the best thing that this British band has ever laid to tape! Hell, "Dark Days" might just end up being one of my favorite hard rock/heavy metal albums of the year if not my undisputed number one!! Opening by way of the catchy-as-hell hard rocker, "Not Guilty" (Man alive I love this sick number with it's perfect mixture of  melody and metal madness!), "Dark Days" finds lead singer Simon Saxby (ex-Deep Fix) in top form and as these 11 tracks unfold he makes the case for being one of N.W.O.B.H.M.'s most underrated front man! Simon's not the only member of Salem to shine on "Dark Days" though. In fact he's just one key piece of the overall puzzle that is Salem the cult N.W.O.B.H.M. band. Guitarist Paul Macnamara and his brother in arms, Mark Allison, weave a deeply magical spell when it comes to Salem's new masterpiece. From the heavy rock/hard rock of "Not Guilty" all the way through to the powerhouse rocker "Tank"* that closes things out the technical guitar work on Salem's new album is nothing short of exquisite! The lead guitar solos are so good in fact that I found myself getting lost in the moment on more than one occasion!! Phrases like smoking hot and words like wizardly immediately spring to mind when you're talking about the six-string majesty that is Paul Macnamara & Mark Allison work on "Dark Days"! And how about the rhythm section of Salem? Can we just stop and have a little chat about bassist Adrian Jenkinson and drummer Paul Mendham (Innersylum, ex-Infobia, ex-Outland, ex-Q, ex-Rise, ex-The Hidden) for a moment? This pair adds the explanation point (!) to red hot British metal thanks to musicianship that is second to none! With the added benefit that comes from solid gold bass lines and impact is immediate drumming a band like Salem zips their merry way WAY past good hard rock/heavy metal and into the realms of the almighty epic!! Collectively-speaking, Salem is comprised of five top-tier musicians who have obviously taken the time to craft one of 2016's finest records. While I could work my way through each and every number on "Dark Days" let's just settle things right now and just say that they are ALL gems! In conclusion I'd just like you to take a moment and close your eyes for second. Now try to imagine a perfect hard & heavy platter where the likes of AC/DC, Deep Purple, Def Leppard, Diamond Head, Fifth Angel, Gillian, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Maineeaxe, More (N.W.O.B.H.M. band), Praying Mantis, Rainbow, Saxon, the Scorpions, Thin Lizzy, TKO, UFO, Van Halen, and Wild Spirit all come together for the sole purpose of creating long-lasting & highly- memorable music that is as catchy as it is clever. Add in the sound and style that is all Salem and Salem alone and you're talking about the greatest that is "Dark Days"! My friends it simply does not get better than this...




"Tank"* features a collaboration with former Nazareth guitarist Manny Charlton! 

Souldrown-Evil of War (Demo rough mix '00)

Self-Release/Independent
2016

Souldrown is a progressive rock-infused hard & heavy power metal band that hails from Athens, Greece and can trace it's roots all the way back to 1993. The material on "Evil of War" was recorded back in the late 90's/early 00's for a demo release that for whatever reason never materialized. Here it is some 16 years later and the band is finally releasing this material and for what it's worth this is some pretty solid stuff! Early on the group was influenced by the likes of Accept, Helloween, Stratovarius, and Warlord before turning their sights to bands such as Tool and Dream Theater. From the sounds of it Souldrown was hoping to combine heavy/power metal with genres like dark metal and progressive rock. As a result of these huge changes in sound and style the music on this well-crafted 5-track EP cuts a fairly straight line between those two areas. In other words this is heartfelt/sincere heavy metal/power metal that has been given a lifesaving intravenous (IV) line of complex progressive rock/metal. Toss in some inspired lyrics and a more than capable front-man and you end up with one EP that is a steal of a deal at only $1.10! In addition to the bandcamp link that appears above you can check out this respectable demo by heading to Youtube.

Free Metal Monday: Hard Rock Revolution Vol. II

Here's a FANTASTIC compilation for our second Free Metal Monday offering of the day. This one comes courtesy of the Facebook group Hard Rock Revolution and it contains a staggering 50 tracks*! I'm not even going to pretend that I've heard every track on this great compilation, but I will admit that I was going to post a link for the "Vol. I" sampler** until I saw that there was a "Vol. II" that was just released! You can find it by heading here and for more information on the community group responsible for this AMAZING comp. be sure to hit that bold link above!


*Despite what the title might suggest there is more here than just hard rock. Just by looking over the insane track list and randomly listening to a few of the cuts I can tell you "Vol. II" most assuredly has something for everyone! Perhaps this cool group sums it up best when they write: "Hard Rock Revolution is a cabal of kindred spirits, united by fate and eternally compelled by unseen forces to chase the dragon of seven heads; Hard Rock, Metal, Doom, Stoner, Sludge, Psych and Blues."


** The equally awesome "Vol. I" has a grand total of 36 tracks! I downloaded both of these comps and my life has been all the more rewarding as a result!

Free Metal Monday: Sky Valley Mistress: "Paranoid" (Black Sabbath Cover)

For today's first Free Metal Monday offering I present a simply awesome cover version of "Paranoid". Just the other day I introduced you to Sky Valley Mistress and their brand new single, "Hell Ain't Got Your Hound". That KILLER song had me all covered in goosebumps and thinking that I might just have discovered the greatest female-fronted heavy rock/doom rock of all time! The band's take on "Paranoid" was released on April 19th, 2014 and it furthers that thought process!! Lead by my new favorite front-women Kayley "Hell Kitten" Davies, Sky Valley Mistress is all at once groovy as f**k and as deadly as they come! This (must-have) name-your-price download has me thinking about what Black Sabbath would have sounded like if they were more of a fuzzed-over HEAVY rock band that had been influenced by seventies garage rock and early Motörhead! Well, that and if they had been fronted by magnificent lead singer like Kayley! If you are any kind of fan at all of strong and powerful (fuzzy!) rock and roll, doom rock, or stoner/blues rock then you are going to want to not only check out this unbelievable cover song, but EVERYTHING that this Darwin, UK-based foursome has to offer! Oh, and you can thank me later! 

Disboskator-Terror In Dreamland

Self-Release/Independent
2015

Disboskator is a heavy & harsh thrash metal band from Prato, Tuscany (Italy) that has been actively haunting dreams since their inception back in 2012. The 18 minute plus EP, "Terror In Dreamland", is their first release and it was produced by the talented Leonardo Bellavista. Edoardo Scali (vox/guitar), Filippo Mannini (bass), and Tiziano Valentini (drums) make up this nightmarish band whose KILLER sound is more old-school than modern. Thank the gods and masters of metal for that! Early Anthrax would be a good starting point as far as reference points go, but with Disboskator there is more of a raw edge going on and this trio is way more frightening than said New York band could ever hope to be! In addition to the "Fistful Of Metal" lads, Disboskator definitely takes a page or two from the late-eighties/early-nineties underground thrash scene as well as the likes of Pantera and Exhorder. All of which adds up to some SMASHING & THRASHING good times with the only real downer to this name-your-price download being it's short length!

Blackening - Nightmare (Official Video)

Blackening is a young thrash metal that is lead by vocalist/rhythm guitarist Oliver Hayirli and has a cool style that is very similar to early Metallica. The band, which also features lead guitarist Wolfgang Hoffegger and drummer Klaus Hoffegger (Brothers? Cousins?), just welcome in a new bassist in Sebastian Köck and from the sounds of it they have a lot of original compositions worked out. One such number is "Nightmares" which you can check out below. Hopefully we'll be hearing more from the guys in Blackening seeing as this band is energetic and efficient!

Saturday Single: Silent Line-"Drag Me Down" (One Direction cover)

Silent Line is a Canadian and Edmonton-based melodic death metal band with three independent albums to it's name. The group's latest release,"Shattered Shores", came out in October of last year and it was a concept album. Maybe one day soon I'll get around to covering it, but for now here we have the  guys in Silent Line doing a cover of "Drag Me Down" by One Direction. Enjoy.

 

Saturday Single: Sky Valley Mistress-Hell Ain't Got Your Hound

High Roller Records
2016

Darwen, UK act Sky Valley Mistress are "the best thing you've never heard.". That was their words long before I discovered them, but now that I've heard this f**king awesome band for myself I can't help but wholeheartedly agree! Lead by the ferocious Kayley "Hell Kitten" Davies, Sky Valley Mistress is a four-piece HEAVY rock and roll/blues rock band that takes it's cues from the likes of Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath. Actually, it's more the latter than the former, but either way this is some especially tasty stuff with "Hell Ain't Got Your Hound" serving up fantastic vocals and stone cold-wicked grooves thanks to guitarist Squire! Bassist Russell "Russell" Russell (huh?) and drummer Maxwell Harvey William Newsome III (that's a mouthful!) round this bluesy, doom-laden foursome out and there is additional music available on the group's bandcamp page besides this simply sick single. 

Fans of female-fronted doom rock and heavy rock/blues rock would do well to check this lot out as this really is some of the best stuff out there! How this band has kept hidden for this long I will never know, but now that they are signed to High Roller Records it's time for the world to step up and acknowledge the greatness that is Sky Valley Mistress!

Current Playlist

Wow, where did the week go? Didn't it just seem as if we were just here? Weird. Anyway, here's my current playlist so feel free to share yours. This coming week I hope to cover new releases from Anthrax, Salem, Terror, Savage Master and American Head Charge. So, unit next Friday I wish you all good health and good fortune. And of course remember to always keep things Loud & Proud!

Listening to:

Anthrax-For All Kings
Midevil-Forced To Believe
Dangerous Toys-S/T
The World Of Rock Compilation
Shy England-Misspent Youth
Tester-King Of the World
White Zombie-Astro-Creep: 2000
Fury In the Slaughterhouse-Mono
The Doors-the Best Of The Doors


Watching:

Fantastic Four (the terrible 2015 version!)
X-Men Days Of Future Past
Exam (film)

Double Experience-Unsaved Progress

Colfax Music
2016

Active since 2011,  Double Experience is a Canadian trio with three release to it's name thanks to the forthcoming "Unsaved Progress". Self-dubbed Nerdy Neo-Rock and featuring a solid line-up of Ian Nichols (vox, lyrics), Brock Tinsley (guitars, bass, lyrics), and Dafydd Cartwright (drums), Double Experience is also a band that answers one of life's oldest and most persistent questions. And of course that would be: "What would Fall Out Boy sound like if they were less emo and more rock?". What, you've never asked that question before? Am I the only one who has wondered that? Wow, who knew? Anyway, this is pretty much what you get when it comes to the quirky Double Experience and/or "Unsaved Progress". With eight original compositions and a fun cover of the B.O.C. classic "Godzilla", "Unsaved Progress" is an easy enough album to get into so long as you enjoy alternative rock & pop-infused heavy rock. Double Experience's new release has a due-date of April 8th and lest I forget, "Unsaved Progress" will be printed with classic video game-inspired packaging! That's rather righteous don't ya think? Well, at least it is to me. I grew up loving the video game culture and I now have the pleasure of watching my own children teenagers enjoy the same games that I did when I was there age! And speaking of my teens (or my family of three!), "Unsaved Progress" has a good chance at becoming a new family favorite thanks to it's catchy mash-up of pop rock, alternative rock, pop punk, power rock and heavy rock! While it might not appeal to all of our readers, "Unsaved Progress" still deserves a fair chance so if your musical tastes are a little more open why not give this one a shot? You've got nothing to lose....

Gravelhead-Gravelhead II

Self-Release/Independent
2016

Released on January 29th, "Gravelhead II" is the latest recording from this Rochester, New York-based heavy metal/hard rock band. With a run-time that is over the fifty minute mark(!), "Gravelhead II" serves as  the natural follow-up to the group's 2010 self-titled debut and finds this heavy metal/hard rock band channeling it's vast array of influences into what ends up being one highly-recommend album! The group is lead by guitarist BrAiN (sic) and as a result of his Ozzy-like vocal delivery one can't help but point towards not only Osbourne's solo work, but Black Sabbath in general. Of course (musically-speaking) the rest of Gravlehead helps out greatly in this regard as this New York band as a whole channels solo Ozzy & Black Sabbath. Still, Black Sabbath is just one of many influences for this solid hard & heavy act as "Gravelhead II" offers up flashes of everyone from Metallica to Rush and in no way whatsoever is that a bad thing! Currently the band is rounded out by Jared Niedermaier (guitar/vocals) and Tom Bittner (drums) and for now at least "Gravelhead II" is only available as a digital download. With a price tag of only $5 (!) it is an absolute steal as "Gravelhead II" is not only an amazing step-forward as far as the group's skill level is concerned, but it is a prime-time example of how effective hard rock/heavy metal can be when you take the time to make sure that your album has the perfect balance of pristine melodic passages and flashy guitar-rock leads! For more information on this exceptionally-talented (and for some reason vastly-underrated!) New York band be sure to check out their Facebook page. 

FPG-2016 Demo

 

Self-Release/Independent
2016

Regina, Saskatchewan-based FPG is a metal trio that was founded in 2012 and has an additional two full-length releases to it's name (a self-titled album that was issued in 2013 and 2015's "Sonic Awakening"). Band-members include guitarist/vocalist Eliot Torrens, bassist Yianni Pantelopoulos (Scythra), and drummer Adam Horvey (ex-Oblivion's Eye) with the crossover-tinged "2016 Demo" serving as FPG's latest studio recording. Going off of past releases (with both full-length albums available to download on the group's bandcamp page ) FPG has flirted with reggae and funk, but I guess that was then and this is now (seeing as the two-track "2016 Demo" is crossover thrash of the highest consistency and all!). Whatever the case, "2016 Demo" is easily worth the price of admission and it proved to be one of those nice discoveries that you just happen to stumble upon and instantly fall head over heels for! And speaking of all things head over heels, FPG offers up some of the best stage diving/mosh metal that I've heard in a long, long time! You're going to want to clear out a shit load of space for the pit that is bound to happen when it comes to FPG's "2016 Demo"! Just so you have been properly warned.... 

Evil Killer-Lethal Assault

Eventhink Metal Records
2015

Does anyone else remember the Spanish metal band Evil Killer? They self-released a demo in 2013 which had me thinking a lot about San Fran's Death Angel. Or rather about how much this particular quartet sounded like a poor man's Death Angel. It wasn't a bad thing. It was more or less just an observation. Well, here it is 2016 and I just discovered that this quartet released a full-length album back in March of last year. I suppose that means happy birthday wishes are in order. With that said, Happy 1st Birthday "Lethal Assault"! My how you've grown!! OK, it's time to get back to being a little bit more serious as this album is hardly a laughing matter. Limited to a mere 500 CD copies, "Lethal Assault", which was preceded a month earlier by the hard-hitting single "Midnight Assassin", greatly improves upon that 2013 recording and finds these speed metal-tinged thrashers stepping out into their own. The aptly-titled "Lethal Assault" finds Evil Killer unleashing a nice brand of metal that is equal parts mid-eighties/early nineties speed/thrash (which is great!) and modern day thrash (which is good). Lead by vocalist/guitarist Mikel Aznarez (ex-Rising Sun), Evil Killer already has the all the necessary tools in their possession to make a serious go at things so let's all hope that this mosh-worthy LP is just the first of many!

Space Monkey-The Blackest Hole

Self-Release/Independent
2016

Originally formed way back in 2012 by ex-King guitarist Marco Quiroz (guitars/vocals) and drummer Luke Brletich (and initially starting out life as a side-project of the pair before making the slow transition over to full-fledged band), Space Monkey is a five-piece metal band that hails from Ohio and also features within it's ranks guitarist Tom "Tommy" Packard of At No End fame. Of course the hardcore-tinged At No End gave us the 2011 album, "Holocaust" and 2013's "From The Rust" so when Tom Packard himself sent me a request to review this (modern metal/death thrash by way of stoner rock) album how could I refuse? The answer is I couldn't, but still had I known the exact nature of "The Blackest Hole" I might have been better prepared for what transpired between point A (Tommy's email request) and point B (sitting down to do a write up on Space Monkey's high-recommend debut album here). Please note that everything that follows is the gospel truth and nothing has been added for theatrical purposes. Naturally we start our journey at the beginning and that would be when I first opened up the package that guitarist Tom Packard sent me. It arrived with a handful of similar-sized padded envelopes* and having opened all of my mail in hast on the dining room table the CD almost ended in my recycling pile! At the last moment I realized my mistake and after grabbing the album I headed out to my car for what would prove to be a afternoon full of errands. Having (unsuccessfully) attempted to play the CD in my car I placed the disc back in it's slip case and put it on the passenger seat. After arriving back home I couldn't find the disc and I had to tear apart my car to locate it (it had somehow managed to slip between the side seat and my car's middle console). Taking the CD inside I almost immediately lost it in my room. This proved to be my first warning that "The Blackest Hole" was playing hard to get! With a new day dawning I went on the hunt for the CD and by this point I couldn't remember if I brought it in from my car or left it in my room (I would like to blame the two or three Angry Orchards I had the night before, but I'm a goofball at the best of times so...). After tearing both apart the CD mysterious appeared right on top of one of my Blu-Ray/DVD towers. The weird thing is I remember scanning the tops of them with my eyes and not seeing anything. By this point I really began to wonder if there was something "otherworldly" about Space Monkey's first full-length album. Whatever the case might be I went about putting the CD into on one of my two stereos. Nothing happened. I couldn't get the disc to play. OK, I tried the other one and the same thing happened. "Alright, this is really odd now" I thought to myself so I ended up having to borrow one from my parents. With their CD boombox in hand the disc finally played! I figured everything was right with the world. Naturally I was wrong as I couldn't get the volume button to turn down any! So, not only did this disc play hard to get, but once I actually manged to capture it and get it to "communicate" with me this album insisted upon being played LOUD and PROUD! Not that there is anything wrong with that!! Naturally you might be thinking that there was something wrong with the disc, but the really strange thing is after playing it on someone else boombox it played perfectly fine on all of my devices! It all sounds so f**ked up, but I couldn't make up a story like this if I tried! So, with all of that said what are we to make of the Cleveland-based Space Monkey? Well, first things first. Lead singer Nicholas Jarrell (ex-Order 66 vocalist) and bass guitarist/vocalist Terry Johnson round things out for the heavier than the almighty heavens Space Monkey and on "The Blackest Hole" not only does he guest as a lead vocalist on the excellent thrash metal attack track that is "Twisted Visions", but Noah Buchanan recorded and co-produced the disc as well! It's all rather fitting that a soon to be legendary Cleveland band hooked up with a legendary Cleveland musician/producer like Noah Buchanan. His fingerprints can be seen all over this album which sees the guys in Space Monkey drawing from influences that range from Mastodon (opener "Dark In Continents") to Queens of the Stone Age (the sweet as f**k "Manic" that mixes desert rock with lethal does of modern metal!). It's not until track number four (the soul-crushing "Infested Water") that we hear some of At No End's hardcore influence creep into the mix, but really once you hit play and "Dark In Continents" kicks in you're going to hear all sorts of crazy stuff** so it's best to just keep your ears wide open for this pulverizing disc! To wrap things up let me just say this. For a first album, "The Blackest Hole" is just about flawless. Even if it took me awhile to get to the heart of the matter (why this disc had to tease me/torment me unmercifully I'll never know!) this new album from Space Monkey offers more proof that when it comes to extreme metal Ohio has some of the best bands out there bar none! All that's left for me to do now is check this act out live and in bloody red color and everything will be just golden delicious!   




*In addition to a few things that I had ordered off of eBay that finally showed up(!) that day alone I received four separate promo CDs! If only I was half as popular with the ladies as I was with record labels and artists...

**Besides modern metal, death thrash, hardcore and stoner rock there were tiny flashes of goth metal, alternative metal and even black metal. No one can say "The Blackest Hole" isn't interesting!