Audrey Horne-Pure Heavy

Napalm Records
2014

"Pure Heavy" is album number five for Norwegian hard rock band Audrey Horne. Having loved the band's 2013 album, "Youngblood", I will admit that I was a little worried about being let down by this new disc. Call me a pessimist if you must, but when your first introduction to a band comes courtesy of such a great rock record as "Youngblood" it can be hard to picture any band improving upon that. Thankfully my fears proved to be unwarranted. As it turns out "Pure Heavy" is pure bliss as far seventies & eighties-inspired rock/hard rock is concerned and for Audrey Horne the good times only get better! Now, for those who don't know this Norwegian band, which was formed in 2002 and takes its name from Sherilyn Fenn’s character in the cult TV series Twin Peaks, features musicians primarily associated with the black metal scene. We're talking about a band whose past and present members have played in bands like Enslaved and Gorgoroth so an album like this can come as quite a surprise. A pleasant surprise mind you, but a surprise nonetheless. The thing is the five musicians who are involved in Audrey Horne are such top-notch performers that it all comes across as natural! Up front on the mic you've got Torkjell Rød/Toschie while Ice Dale and Thomas Tofthagen handle guitars, Espen Lien plays bass and Kjetil Greve plays drums*. Each and every part of this band performs at the top of it's game while simultaneously blending together to form this near-perfect rock and roll machine! The individual songs present on "Pure Heavy" compliment each other resulting in this amazing collection of highly-memorable and hook-laden tracks! Favorite moments are too many to count as this is simply track after track after track of cool and buzz-worthy rock! When I reviewed "Youngblood" last year I wrote how the band "has a good sense of melody and knows a thing or two about writing catchy riffs." That is as true now as it was back then. And while I could sit here and roll off the band's influences and try to point out the references to everyone from solo Ozzy to The Sweet let's just say that Audrey Horne has their own vibe going on and leave it at that! Although I will say one last thing. If the slick combination of seventies rock/hard rock and eighties hard rock sounds like something you would want to roll with then you will love this release. Then again, even if you are not all that sure about that sort of combination chances are you'll still enjoy this release. Plain and simple it's fun. It's a fun album from a very cool rock band. And frankly speaking that will never go out of style in my book!

http://www.audreyhornemusic.com/
https://www.facebook.com/AudreyHorneOfficial

Review of "Youngblood"
http://metalmark.blogspot.com/2012/12/audrey-horne-youngblood.html

*This is the band's line-up as listed on Facebook. As the digital promo did not include any line-up information I am simply going to go by that.

Eron-Never Enough

Self-Released
2012

Don't be fooled by either the band's name or their newest album's title. For that matter don't be lead astray by the almost misleading album art. Olso's Eron, whose four members look as if they just might be young enough to be my children (!), are a legit source of heavier then hell metal. Scratch that. Eron, and this 8-track release (which came out on 12/12/12!), are heavier then hell thrash metal! "Come and get your groove on ladies and gentlemen!!" thrash metal to be exact. With vocalist/bassist Benjamin Danielsen leading the charge this five (give or take) year old band take their inspiration from not only more modern sources (Lamb Of God, Mastodon), but also the good old days (ie: the eighties!). While the groove might have come from the likes of Pantera, Exhorder and Suicidal Tendencies there also seems to be elements of group's like Anthrax, Slayer, Intruder, Metallica, Excel, Sacred Reich, Overkill, Exodus and Lääz Rockit. That said, you really should not go looking to pick up a copy of "Never Enough" if it's just another throwback, Bay Are-infused, retro act that you're longing for! Eron are more a combination of all of the above while they are also like none of the above! Wait, what? Well, here's how it all plays out. The band, which also features guitarists Edi Hasic & Jan Nielsen and drummer Fredrik Westby, rock out to their own beat and have been around long enough to tear things up on their own terms. As I delightfully partook in this 8-track collection of groove heavy thrash a few things came to mind that set this Norwegian act apart. First off we have the lead vocals of Benjamin Danielson. Sure he does front a thrash band, but his vocals are somewhat tuned differently then most bands playing this extreme form of metal. For whatever reason he had me thinking about bands like Discharge and Nuclear Assault. I'd hesitate to say his vocals are hardcore as they really aren't. Can I say his voice is "alternative" in nature without getting burned alive at the stake? I mean call it what you will but he comes off as different in a cool way. So, that kind of makes Eron stand out as a band. Also, "Never Enough" finds a band that isn't afraid is lay down heavy riffs that could have simultaneous come from punk and hardcore's heyday as well as the N.W.O.B.H.M.scene! There is also a keen sense that these four like to rock out. Straight, no chaser, rock and roll, rock out. I can't vouch for the group's earlier material*, but on these 8-tracks the gentlemen in Eron give their groovy thrash a shot of rock and roll adrenalin that is contagious!  And yet Eron are very much a crunching entity who are more then mosh worthy. It goes without saying then that "Never Enough" is a no-brainer as far as getting my highest recommendation! We're talking about a group that has all the aggressiveness of a crazed pit bull while still finding time to shake their groove thing! It's like getting hit over the head with a pitcher of beer while dancing your way through the pit! You can find out more about this group and how to snag a copy of "Never Enough" here:
 https://www.facebook.com/eron.band

*In addition to this stone cold kickin' release the group also have a 2007 EP to their name called "Poor Norwegian Metal". Although it must be noted that the EP features other musicians then the one's involved with "Never Enough" so chances are it's not likely going to rock the fuck out like this sweet ass album!

Gothminister-Utopia

 

AFM Records
2013

Gothminister are a Norwegian quartet that, for lack of a better description, play goth-flavored industrial rock/heavy metal. On "Utopia", the group's fifth studio album since forming in 1999, the band's lead singer, Bjørn Alexander Brem, taps into his personal nightmares for a concept album. With Icarus (guitars), Turbo Natas (guitars) and Chris Dead (drummer) joining him (Bass? We don't need no stupid bass!) the band set out to not only make a concept album, in and of itself not as easy as it seems folks, but (on the limited edition CD/DVD version) also a horror/concert film (DVD)! With all of that running through my brain I was fully prepared to loath this release. I must admit though to being wrong. Not unusually I know (just ask any/all my former lovers), but I was really, truly pleasantly surprised with this one. For times sake I'll throw out some names (Ministry, N.I.N. Rob Zombie, Type O Negative, Marilyn Manson, Rammstein, Alice Cooper, etc.) and have you magically mix everything in  your mind's eye. Got it? Or at least a vision of what I'm getting at? More or less Gothminister takes those bands & artists and, with a careful eye set on trying to carve out their own niche in this world, sets about writing music that acts as a soundtrack for the doom and gloom crowd. The album, which was produced by Bjørn Alexander Brem, mixed by Neil Kernon (Judas Priest, Nile) and mastered by Alan Douches (The Misfits, Dillinger Escape Plan) is not without it's charm and, as concept albums go, there's more then enough to pull you into Brem's nightmare."Utopia" is probably a misleading title (In both the sense of where this nightmare leads and the album's overall effectiveness), but it keeps you intrigued to the very end so that says something about it's cold embrace.

Haust-No

Fysisk Format
2013


Haust hails from the hills of Notodden, Norway where, in 2001, they became "infected by the mix of white trash and black metal" in their surroundings. That infection would lead to a 2002 demo called "Blackmetal Suicide" and, after releasing another demo in 2003 called "Rejected", would eventually result in the 2005 full-length release, "Ride the Relapse". Now, as we fast forward all these years later, Haust issue their 4th full-length release and their first new material in 3 years. Their complete back-catalog also includes numerous EPs and Splits but, to these ears, "No" is my first experience. So how was my first time? Well, the band, who are part of what is called the "Black Hole Crew" (alongside other bands like Okkultokrati, Dark Times and Blackest Woods) weirdly enough do come off as a cross between white trash punk and black metal. It's not quite black n' roll though as there's some proto-metal going on here and, what I'd describe as, trash metal. Certainly not for everyone, but in a way this one is almost punker than punk. It sounds like it was recorded in a garage studio and, when you hear the whole shebang was recorded in a mere 2 weeks time (with actually recording time taking a mere hour!), you should know what your getting into.The promo sheds some further light on "No" as it was 2 weeks "full of arguing, distrust and rehearsal". You can hear the raw negativity that runs through these 8 tracks which reminds me (vibe-wise) of C.O.C.'s "Animosity". Raw and evil, twisted and hateful, this LP is what I'd imagine you'd get out of a black metal band setting themselves on fire while they blast through "interpretations" of tracks by the likes of S.N.F.U., Crass, The Dayglo Abortions and The Germs!

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Haust/109919372546
http://www.fysiskformat.no
http://www.facebook.com/fysiskformat

Blood Red Throne-Blood Red Throne

Severed Records
2013

For the uninitiated among you Blood Red Throne, who call Norway home, are a death metal act that was formed in 1998 by  (Daniel “Død” Olaisen) & Tchort (Terje Vik Schei), both of whom were playing Satyricon at the time. Over the course of 7 albums (with this self-tiled affair being album number 7 quite obviously) the band has undergone numerous line-up changes with only Død remaining as the sole original member of Blood Red Thorn (or BRT for short from here on out). With this new album Død is joined by Yngve “Bolt” Christiansen (vocals), Ivan “Meathook” Gujic (guitar), Ole Bent Madsen (bass) and Emil Wiksten (drums). Previous to their joining BRT in 2011, and from the sounds of this new album strengthening the unit in the process, lead vocalist Yngve “Bolt” Christiansen played with the thrash metal band Concussion and bassist Ole Bent Madsen contributed to fellow Norwegian death metal band Horizon Ablaze. Here, with anticipation no doubt high among BRT's rabid fan-base, Yngve “Bolt” Christiansen manages to add a sickening exclamation point to BRT's already furious death metal onslaught. One could reasonably fear that with so many line-up changes (for example I this is Blood Red Throne's 3rd lead vocalist) any sense of consistency would be tossed out the door. To Død's credit he has managed to keep Blood Red Throne grounded and on track as evident by the strength of this self-titled release. As I do count myself among the ravenous few who are old enough to have Death when they first came out with "Scream Bloody Gore" (yeah, I'm getting up there) I've always enjoyed good death metal while steering well clear of the monotonous kind. It should be clear enough the kind of groups I'm talking about. We'll dive into what makes Blood Red Throne more of the former then the later in a bit, but I've got to admit that, while I was aware of this act going into this review (I've heard their music numerous times over the years) the last time that I remember listening to this band all the way through (album-wise) they had opted for a style not that far removed from the early Florida death metal scene (and doing it remarkably well!). As I was practically spoon-feed Florida death metal that was fine by me! Here though we get to hear the group nail the listener's ears to the wall with these added sprinklings of groove, thrash metal riff-age and the sonic appeal of modern death. First off no worries about that term "groove" as these Norwegians just slay the dragon as it were. This is heavy and sick death metal that is relentlessness and brutal. The main difference between BRT  and the bulk of what passes for death metal these days is that guitarist Død  keeps his band fresh and interesting by mixing things up with splashes of color. True, that color is mostly blood red...blood dripping red...but with these guys you never sink back into your chair and say "well, that track sounded just like the track before it". While you can still hear some of the band's roots on album number 7 it's killer to see how this group has evolved and adapted to today's modern scene. Martin Berger, who mixed the album at Skar Productions, helps in that sense as it pulls everything together nicely. Everything from the thrashing guitars, which are monumentally aggressive, to the possessed lead vocals of Yngve “Bolt” Christiansen (great guttural, death/thrash-style shrieks come flying out of this guys mouth in almost scary fashion!) are right in sync. Through and through there's simply nothing to complain about with "Blood Red Throne". For fans of BRT it's worth noting  that there will be a special limited edition LP box set coming out with a t-shirt featuring the cover art, a poster, and other "secret goodies". It's limited to a mere 250 copies so if you're a die hard Blood Red Throne fanatic I'd suggest snagging it sooner then later. This one is definitely recommend for those of you that like your death metal fresh and original while still intense and brutal!

http://bloodredthrone.bandcamp.com/

Divided Multitude-Feed on your Misery

Nightmare / Fireball Records
2013

Divided Multitude are a  Norwegian "progressive metal" band that was formed back in 1995. With a pair of demos out of the way ( 1996's "Stranded" and 1997's "Tale Of Tomorrow") they found themselves signed to Sensory Records and, four years after forming, they issued their debut-album, "Inner Self". By all accounts the group's debut album fell into a sort of Dream Theater/Symphony X groove and from there the band played on.  A 2001 self-titled collection was released next (featuring several songs from "Inner Self") before the band issued a proper follow-up in the form of 2002's "Falling To Pieces". At that point the group went on hiatus while members went on to play in Triosphere, TalRusha and Wattamezz. It wouldn't be until 2010 that the band would return with "Guardian Angel" followed by the album you see before you know. As Dived Multitude are not exactly well-known to begin with I'd be really surprised if "Feed on your Misery" was able to suddenly catapult them to the next level. Let's just be honest with each other here and I'll confess that it was more about the album's title and artwork (both the cover-art and cover-design were done by Per Spjøtvold) that intrigued me then anything else! And in both cases I really don't have a good explanation as to what draws me to either. Regardless it's the music that matters most so let's talk about that. Vocalist/guitarist Sindre Antonsen leads this group and from the sounds on "Feed on your Misery" (great title by the way!) the band's early Dream Theater/Symphony X comparisons have evolved quite nicely. Earlier I wrote that Divided Multitude were a "progressive metal". At least that is what they have been tagged. It's often times the case that there's so much more to the picture then a simple title can describe. I was lead into a false sense of "well, I believe this will just be another blah progressive metal band", but, truth is, this is some rather HEAVY stuff these guys shred out for the listener. True there are keyboards, but the guitars are heavy and crunchy. Divided Multitude have a splendid progressive power metal vibe that ends up meeting AOR and the heavier side of hard rock for a few shots of ice cold Jägermeister after work. As technical and well-crafted these guys are they know how to throw down some sinister licks and, even if those keyboards do ruin a bit for me, the band flat out rocks! It's not a perfect album, but this is likely to be adored by it's target audience anyway. That is of course if it reaches them. Check this out if heavier progressive/power metal with majestic leads and epic overtones is up your alley.
"progressive metal"

High Priest of Saturn-High Priest of Saturn

Svart Records
2013

It's taken Norwegian three piece High Priest of Saturn very little time to go from forming to releasing this, their 4-track, self-titled, debut-release. This trio came together in 2011 before issuing their 2-track demo (also self-titled) in August of the same year. Now here it is 2013 and the band's new release is due next month. Any one want to take a guess why they have found such success in such a little time? One reason is quite obvious and that is Merethe Heggse. This young woman handles bass guitar and vocals. She also handles your heart with ease thanks to her eerie vocals that are haunting in both a terrifying way and a tantalizing way. That's not to say that her band-mates guitarist Martin Sivertsen and guitarist-drummer Andreas Hagen (or guest organist Ole Kristian Malmedal for that matter!) don't contribute to the slow-paced beautiful and bewitching doom/stoner rock that is High Priest of Saturn. They both do and then some. When this Trondheim released their demo in 2011 it was obvious even back then that all three members showed a maturity far beyond their young age (at least the band's young age that is). All three members of High Priest of Saturn are extremely talented. It's simply that no one can deny or dispute the effect that Merethe Heggset's vocals has on these 4 epic tracks (they all top 9 minutes!). With her eerie voice serving as a narration of sorts the music goes about pulling you further and further in until there's no light to be found. Within the band's haunting music you'll find the occasional psychedelic groove, but let me just say (and I speak from personal experience here) that just like any trip you might decide to take the journey can be a risk. It could end up being either pleasant and care-free or a downright nightmare. High Priest of Saturn offer the listener such a trip, but it's an album that does come with a warning. Just like with any drug the music found within can be highly addictive and side-effects may vary depending on the individual!