Free Metal Monday: Räzerhex-Räzerhex

Self-Release/Independent
2018

Sporting one of the coolest names out there(!), Räzerhex is a rock/metal trio that hails from Gothenburg, Sweden and is lead by guitarist/vocalist Rallylalla. Bassist T-hex and drummer Sigbang round out the line-up for this (damn cool!) band that really knows a thing or two about rocking the hell out of a joint! This self-titled EP appears to be the group's official debut and what a debut it is!! It is a five-track recording that combines elements of garage rock, punk, 70's hard rock, and 70's/early 80's heavy metal. Filled with passion, fire, and a healthy amount of spunk, this highly-recommended EP can be downloaded for free by clicking here. That's a steal of a deal for a feisty and tough as nails release like this!

Dracena-Cursed to the Night

Infernö Records
2017

Formed in 1994 by vocalist/bassist/guitarist Mia Larsson (ex-Necrohell, ex-Pagan Rites, ex-Deathwitch), Dracena is a blackened heavy metal/thrash metal band from Gothenburg, Sweden that has two LPs, one EP, and a couple of demos to it's name. Released this past October and clocking in at just over just over 38 minutes in length, the eight-song "Cursed to the Night" is Dracena's sophomore LP as well as my first introduction to this longstanding & absolutely-legit band. The album comes three years after the release of the EP "Ravenous Bloodlust" and is the first Dracena recording to feature new drummer Jocke. In addition to exceptionally-skilled talents of Mia Larsson (she's perfectly wicked as a front-woman, bassist, and rhythm guitarist!), "Cursed to the Night" features two notable guests. The first (and certainly most important!) one is veteran guitarist Fredrik Folkare (Dead Kosmonaut, Firecracker, Firespawn, Unleashed, ex-Incardine, ex-Scudiero, ex-Necrophobic, ex-Siebenbürgen, ex-Fireborn). With a style that leans heavier on old school and classic heavy metal, Fredrik provides all of the lead guitar work on "Cursed to the Night" and man alive(!), he does a fucking fantastic job of it! The lead guitar work on this album is simply stunning and it is perfectly suited to Mia's black metal vocals. Meanwhile, Ola Malmström (vocalist of Swedish death metal band Sorcery) offers his voice on the track "The Shadow of What Once Once". It is a nice gesture that adds a little something extra to what is already a pretty solid number. And speaking of solid, "Cursed to the Night" is exactly that! More or less traditional/classic heavy metal mixed with a (much better than expected!) female black metal vocalist with style & substance, Dracena is a group that at first I didn't think that I would care for, but somehow fell hard for! One could argue that it was the old fashioned heavy metal moments that won me over. Others might say that as a longtime fan of all things female-fronted rock and heavy metal, "Cursed to the Night" was destined to show up in my play list. Whatever the case might be, "Cursed to the Night" ultimately proved to me that black metal and true heavy metal can not only co-exist, but feed off of each other's strengths. This beast might have roped me in with it's heavy metal leanings, but I ended up sticking around because of Mia Larrson. Now that this Swedish act has got my attention I cannot wait to see what comes next!

Piss River-Piss River

The Sign Records
2018

Let's face the facts: Piss River is quite a moniker for a band. It is definitely one of those names that will make people stand up and take notice. It's not a question of will they look your way (and subsequently tune in to what you have to offer), but rather it is a question of what will you do now that you have their undivided attention? For this (N.W.O.B.H.M.-influenced & punk rock-infused) Swedish hard & heavy/heavy rock quartet the answer seems obvious enough. Ladies and gents, boys and ghouls, the 12-track "Piss River" is here to rock your head off and steal your heart! Lead by an intoxicating front-woman named Sofia Nilsson and comprised of members Auktion, Skitkids and Warchild, the four members of Piss River toss out all the rules of rock and roll with their (damn fantastic!) self-titled debut. Influenced as much by bands like Girlschool & Motörhead as they are L7 and The Gits, Piss River plays up to their (some-what provocative) name while simultaneously making sure that the music is incredibly-addictive and highly-memorable! To go along with the smashing riffs and cool as can be choruses, "Piss River" is chock full of attitude and grit. Thanks to the effort of singer Sofia Nisson, "Piss River" is also punchy and downright fun! In fact there isn't a dull moment to be found on "Piss River". In addition to their own original material (all of which I thoroughly enjoyed!), Piss River (vocalist Sofia Nisson, guitarist Björn Bergström, bassist Viktor Boström, and drummer Albin Bilar) perform a cover "Police Car" by Larry Wallis (ex-Motörhead). Originally released in the seventies, "Police Car" is given a great makeover by Piss River. The track feels right at home on this lyrically-charged release. Now, as far as the band's original compositions are concerned? Like I said earlier, "Piss River" is devoid of filler material. Starting off with the punk rock meets Girlschool foot stomper "Desolation", "Piss River" is one cool cut after another. If you add lots of beer and some tasty snack food, "Piss River" is like the best party you have ever been to! This is a rock and roll album for punks and metalheads, party animals and all-out maniacs!! By the time you get to album's closer ("Bad Reputation") you are left with nothing but a smile and the overwhelming desire to do it all again. Sure, "Piss River" isn't due out until the end of April, but it is never too early to start hyping the next great thing in all of rock!

Grate-You Should Be

Social Blasphemy Records
2017

The brainchild of vocalist/guitarist Nick Holmquists (Aisumasen), Grate is a Gothenburg, Sweden-based outfit that was formed in 2001 and is now on album number three with "You Should Be". At first Grate was a solo project for Chris. Over time though new band members were introduced. With new members and new albums the group slowly but surely evolved into the beast that stands before us now. These days the band's influences seem to run the gamut from Godflesh, Fudge Tunnel, and Killing Joke all the way up to Prong and Helmet. Not quite industrial metal, noise rock, hardcore heavy metal, or even raw metal, Grate is a little bit of all of the above and then a whole hell of a lot more! While it was actually released over the summer of 2017, "You Should Be" is as hot and dangerous now as it has ever been!! Thanks to it's bleak industrial edge and hard as hell attitude, Grate's latest recording should appeal to a wide array of metal fans.

Märvel-The Hills Have Eyes

The Sign Records

2017

Märvel is a Swedish rock trio that was formed in 2002 while it's members were still in high-school. Those three individuals would  be vocalist/guitarist John Steen (The King), bassist Ulrik Bostedt (Speedo), and drummer Tony Samuelsson (The Vicar). Released at the tail end of March, "The Hills Have Eyes" appears to be the group's latest offering to date as well as their forth studio recording. The EP includes five original compositions and a cover of W.A.S.P.'s "L.O.V.E. Machine". On paper Märvel's influences are over the group, but musically-speaking these guys primarily sound like either a garage rock version of Kiss or Thin Lizzy. Even the cover of "L.O.V.E. Machine" sounds like something that Kiss would put out. For what it is and where it stands in the great scheme of garage rock, "The Hills Have Eyes" is alright. While I would like to hear something more original from this Swedish trio fans of Thin Lizzy and Kiss might just get a kick out of this EP. 

Free Metal Monday: Cellar Door-Pictures Of Home

Self-Release/Independent
2013

In late March of 2013 Swedish punk/hardcore band Cellar Door put out this free EP. It could very well be the only recording that lyrically-deep outfit put out. As there is very little information about the group or "Pictures Of Home" it is hard to see where this four-track fits into the grand theme of things. I say all of this with a bit of sadness in my heart because I would love to learn more about this particular Cellar Door. Seeing as there are so many different groups that have laid claim to this moniker it's a real mess. Proper credit should be given to this Swedish act when it comes to this gem. For metal fans this one carries itself along nicely with hard-tinged guitars. Thing is it is the lyrics that other the real punch! They are largely poetic and they make "Pictures Of Home" all the more poignant. If anyone has any more information on this hardcore group please get in touch with me. .

Sweet Creature-The Devil Knows My Name

Dïet Records
2016

Self-described by it's front-man as "old school hard rock with gloomy lyrics and melodies", Sweet Creature is a brand new hard & heavy quartet that hails from the capital of Sweden (Stockholm) and is made up of musicians from Crashdïet, ToxicRose, This Ending, and Gemini Five. The full-length "The Devil Knows My Name" is this band's (self-produced) debut offering and it is the end result of a side-project that was first dreamed up back in 2014. Founded and lead by vocalist/guitarist Martin Sweet (Crashdïet), Sweden's Sweet Creature seemingly exists in a upside down version of our world where Guns N' Roses, Cheap Trick, Kiss, Mötley Crüe, W.A.S.P., and Enuff Z'Nuff were Jane's Addiction's primary sources of  influence as they headed into the studio to record "Nothing's Shocking". It's a "crazy" world where the classic hard rock scene of the eighties was more substance than fluff and all the best bands were more concerned about the quality of their music than they were the size of their artificial hair. And finally it is a world where the band Sweet Creature has become a household name. Thankfully that version of reality slipped up BIG TIME and allowed the group to not only escape unharmed, but with "The Devil Knows My Name" in it's possession! Otherwise how do you explain away an album that is as good as this one is? Seriously though, Sweet Creature's first album, "The Devil Knows My Name", is a real gem. In addition to the reflective "Purpose In Life" (my absolute favorite moment on Sweet Creature's debut!) and the album's melancholy title track, "The Devil Knows My Name" features such standout numbers as "Time To Move On", "Away From You", "Our Moment", and "Perfect Day". From the opening moments of "Not Like Others" the lucky listener is treated to a full album's worth of expertly prepared hard rock numbers that are highly-memorable and custom-built for repeated spins. 
As good as "The Devil Knows My Name" is it was difficult at time to believe that Sweet Creature is such a relativity new band. Therefore credit must go to all of the veterans involved with this project. Let's start with this band's driving force and move back from there. While primarily known for his stellar guitar work in sleazy/glam rockers Crashdïet, front-man Martin Sweet excels in his new roll as lead singer for Sweet Creature. So much so it ultimately makes you ask the question whether or not that is where he rightfully belongs! Lord knows this Crashdïet shredder sounds like a natural born front-man on "The Devil Knows My Name", but Martin Sweet isn't the only voice you'll hear on Sweet Creatures' studio debut! Putting in his share of overtime, second guitarist Linus Nirbrant (This Ending, A Canorous Quintet ) not only helped produce this steady-rocking affair, but he also took a turn on the mic!! That means he pulled double duty and helped bring Martin Sweet's dream to life. With Martin's brother Michael TxR (ToxicRose) on drums and Tin Star (Gemini Five) on bass this album is that dream in all it's brilliant colors! Hopefully it is also just the first of what will be many Sweet Creature recordings to come....