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!

Free Metal Monday: False Prophet-Murder or Mercy Live 1990

Heaven and Hell Records
2013

Formed in 1988 during the height of  the thrash metal explosion, False Prophet is a Greensboro, North Carolina band whose 1991 album, "The Second Death", won me over a long time ago thanks to it's wickedly raw take on death-laden thrash! Bootlegs of said album seem to pop up every now and then, but this digital-only(?) release is officially sanctioned by the band. "Murder Or Mercy" is a live EP from a band that should have been at least somewhat bigger than they were and it is available as a name-your-own-price download here. It includes four tracks of heavy thrash/death and with a run time that is over the twenty minute mark it is the perfect thing to get you up and going on this Monday morning!

With it's memorable artwork and heavy thrash/death metal sound "The Second Death" is a hidden gem!

Inculter-Persisting Devolution

Edged Circle Productions
2015

Having just covered this Norwegian band yesterday, as promised we now return to the scene of the crime with "Persisting Devolution", Inculter's highly-anticipated debut album. For those of you who were absent on Monday here are three keen observations about this trio that are worth jotting down. Number 1) The three key players that are in charge of this recording are all in their teens. Number 2) This is nut-cracking death thrash of the blackened variety. And finally Number 3)  Inculter are bad ass! OK, number two and number three are really cut from the same clothe, but this power trio is damn good as delivering Brutal music for Brutal people! To be more precious the music of Inculter looks a little like this. Take early Sodom and Destruction and thrash it about with the likes of At War, Venom, (early) Death, Autopsy, Possessed and Morbid Angel. Now finish it off with a double shot of black metal and a line or two of underground thrash and there you have it! Music for madmen and maniacs alike! And here's the real kicker kids! Not only is this destructive slab of brutal death thrash going to see a CD release, but it will see a vinyl one as well! Sadly it does look as if the LP will not be released until sometime in May, but the CD is due to drop on March 27th so there is always that option to tide everyone over! As a fan of all things power trios this young act is on to something promising with their debut album and seeing as these musicians are all still teenagers the growth potential is insane! This is a great first offering from a nice up-and-coming death metal/blackened thrash band and one that I will be hyping for all fans of said genres!

Black April-Lunitics-Demo 2014

Self-Release/Independent
2014

Local artist alert. And by local I mean Ohio local! Because it's all about the home-pride as I always preach.  In this case it's Black April from Cleveland Twinsburg, Ohio with their "Lunitics-Demo 2014". And no my friends and fellow lovers of all things loud and proud that is not a misspelling. If anything it just points closer to the overall insane aspect of this raw and ready death/thrash four-piece that has thus far shared the stage with the likes of Vindicator, Eternal Legacy, Arsis, Exmortus and many more! Featuring the mad skills of vocalist/bassist Sean Kratz (Benighten Empire, Lucian The Wolfbearer, ex-Eviscerated ), guitarist/vocalist Josh Nally, lead guitarist Max Zotti and drummer Nathan Karns (Benighten Empire, ex-Eviscerated) and taking their cue from bands as wide-ranging as Carcass is to Carnivore the guys in Black April take no prisoners as well as no shit on songs such as "Archwing ( Political Warfare and Damned )" and "Balls Deep". A live version of "Gravedigger" rounds out this late October release and for a band that sounds as if it really only came together in late 2013 with the arrival of lead guitarist Max Zotti they sure seem promising!  Rage-worthy and gnarly enough to peel the wallpaper right off of your bedroom walls at any given moment, "Lunitics-Demo 2014" is one of those lovely recordings that recalls they heyday of tape-trading when underground heavy thrash/death metal like this* was worth it's weight in gold!

Gloriously it's a name-your-own-price download, but as always why not throw a few coins in the fountain as it were? If for no other reason then maybe just to buy this motley lot a few beers? I'd wager a bit or two myself that performing this kind of extreme metal makes one mighty thirsty for blood an adult beverage! Either way here's hoping that this isn't the first and last that we hear from Black April as who doesn't love skull-splinting death thrash like this!!!!!

https://blackapril.bandcamp.com/releases

*You know the kind of late eighties/early nineties metal where Slayer was worshiped on the exact same alter that had previously served as a sacrificial area to Chuck Schuldiner's Death? Here it is kiddos. Only difference is Black April is unmistakeably Cleveland thrash and proud of it! 

Ram-Page-The Depths Of Rage

Metal Scrap Records
2013

Fancy some death-tinged thrash metal? How about one with vocals (which in this case are provided by Privalov Vlad) that conjurers up images of fist bangin' demons? Sound like a winner in your book? If so then look no further then Ram-Page! This Russian band, whose name (at least for me) makes me reminisce about the good old days when I spent quarter after quarter at the arcade on a game in which you could destroy cities thanks to your mad monster skills, was formed back in 2010 with "The Depths Of Rage", which was just released this past October, serving as their 3rd full-length studio album overall. The band's latest album features 12 brutal tracks with influences mostly falling on all things "older". Picture the likes of Slayer, Hydra Vein, Exodus, Warrant (Germany's of course!), Kreator, Dark Angel, E-X-E, Sepultura, Overkill, Sodom and Death all getting together in one room with nothing being served but great (chilled) vodka. Maybe toss in a little bit of blacked thrash to keep everyone on their toes and that's (more or less) what you're in for when it comes to "The Depths Of Rage". With a current line-up that also features Privalov Sergey (guitar), Dolgov Dmitriy (bass) and Kasatkin Kiril (drums) Ram-Page are a great choice for those that love raw, nasty and sinister death thrash with all of the fixings!

Truth Corroded-The Saviours Slain

AFM Records
2013

Tracing their roots back to 1997, before self-releasing their debut EP, "Fuel The Chain", in 1999, Adelaide, South Australia-based Truth Corroded are a heavy thrash/death metal band inspired by the likes of Sepultura, Vio-lence, Dark Angel, Testament, Forbidden (whose Craig Locicero guests on lead guitar on the track "They Are Horror")Slayer, Exodus, Death Angel and Kreator. On their latest LP, "The Saviours Slain" (their third full-length release since 2005) lead vocalist Jason North and company (which includes the group's only other original member, bassist Greg Shaw) release a (consistently) intense album that lyrically (and apparently theme-wise), is overflowing with strong political, religious and social messages. As most readers are probably more concerned though with how it's all packaged and delivered then here's what matters most. Between the near death-like vocals of Jason North and the insane audio assault that you get from the misc. musicians that feature on this album (including newcomer Wayne Batters on rhythm guitar) you've got more then enough extreme elements to satisfy your hunger for death thrash. Especially if  death thrash is (as the kids say these days) your "jam"! Sandwiched between demonized lead vocals and old-school leads that are meant to shatter glass you'll find yourself confronted/comforted (depending on well you find yourself suited to a life where pulverizing metal is the norm) by an underlying sense of crunchiness. And God bless the crunchiness of bands like this to. Anyway, besides the above-mentioned "inspirations", which would also seem to include everyone from Destruction to Possessed, Truth Corroded have a sound that brings to mind a couple of more "modern" bands like Lamb of God (who Truth Corroded has supported in the past), Devildriver and The Black Dahlia Murder. Also, in addition to guitarist Craig Locicero, the album features guests such as Malevolent Creation's Bret Hoffman (who provides guest vocals on the cool track "Last Of My Flesh") and seasoned drummer Kevin Talley (Battlecross, Daath, Misery Index, Chimaira). All told "The Saviours Slain", the fifth overall full-length release from Truth Corroded, gives fans of death thrash everything they desire. From gruff  "I just gargled with a bunch of thumbtacks and allowed the demons from The Exorcist to check in as guests in this hotel of mine that I call my soul" vocals to razor wire-like lead guitar solos that slice and dice like an escaped metal hospital psycho (one with a "To Do" list where the only thing written down is "Kill! Kill! Kill!") this is one album that has all the perfect hallmarks of a winner. This one should make death thrashers the world over smile. No matter whether you find yourself moved by their (deeper-then-most) social justice lyrics or you just like the fact that the band's extreme music is likely to scare the bloody crap out of your next door neighbors this release should put Truth Corroded in a bigger light!

Protector-Reanimated Homunculus

High Roller Records
2013

Wow, I'm not even going to try to make sense of this band's long and confusing history. It's enough to know that the band was formed in 1986 and existed from 1986 to 2003 and then again from 2011 until now. This German band's past catalog is littered with demos, EPs, splits, compilations, a hand full of full-length studio albums and even a box set! Also, at one point it sounds as if the only person holding Protector together (in some semblance of a "band") was their drummer, Marco Pape. Oh, and also it looks as if, technically-speaking, Protector's last full-length studio album was 1993's "The Heritage". Really none of that is all that important unless you really, positively, need to know the history of this German thrash band or your life will be over. In which case I'll just say happy trails. As for everyone else? Well, this "latest" version of Protector actually grew out of the cover band "Martin Missy and the Protectors" which featured/features Martin Missy (the original vocalist of Protector) as well as guitarist Michael Carlsson (Mastema, Sadistic Grimness), bassist/vocalist Mathias Johansson (Axis Powers, Suicidal Winds) and drummer Carl-Gustav Karlsson (Grief of Emerald, ex-Author Of Pain, ex-Mastema, ex-Sarcastic, ex-Third Stone from the Sun, etc.). Despite having a sound that would have fit in nicely with the likes of Kreator, Sodom and Destruction (as well as "Zombie Attack" Tankard) the band was actually a little late to the party and were never able to break on through to the upper echelons of the German thrash scene. That's a shame to as these guys, if this new disc is anything to go by, had more then enough raw grit and piss and vinegar in their veins to stand toe to toe with the big guns! In addition to the obvious calling cards that just scream "We're a German thrash metal band!" these four guys, and their deathly take on the genre, also recall early Sepultura and even Slayer. With the exception of  "The End", which first appeared on Protector's 2000' demo "Resurrected",  I believe that all of this material was custom-crafted for inclusion on "Reanimated Homunculus". And you know what? This is actually some really good stuff that these four have created. The vocals are almost death metal in nature while the backing band-mates are keen to keep things thrashing along at a nice pace. It's a toss up which is better, the band of the singer. The thing is the guitar playing, which sports razor-like riffs, is damn fine and comes across loud and clear. It's a sweet highlight so answering such a question, which one does it better, the singer or musicians,  just isn't feasible. That doesn't matter though as it's the whole package that fans will be looking right? So, if you dig German thrash (and who doesn't!) with a hint of death metal (more like a pinch or two) then by all means, or by the gods of thunder, pick this bad boy up and never look back!

Destroyers Of All-Into the Fire EP

Self-Release/Independent
2013

"Into the Fire", which showed up in my inbox unexpectedly yesterday,  is the debut-release from Portuguese act Destroyers Of  All. The band, which was formed back in 2011, shouldn't be too hard to pin-down if you just go by their name and this EP's wicked album art. If you're stumped though here's what these guys bring to the party: death/thrash. Ripping death/thrash as it were. With João Mateus on the mic (sounding quite a bit like he's been possessed by the spirits of many a great 80's death metal vocalists!) the band tears through this EP with rage and righteous conviction! Technically-speaking these guys are sound and throughout this EP they find ways to figure in bits of not only death and thrash, but progressive thrash, speed metal and even a thin slice of black metal. As this is the group's first recording it's even more impressive how tight the band is and how well-executed these tracks are. Pinning down their sound would prove difficult though as I pick up on everything from early Sepultura to Testament along with the likes of later period Death, Pestilence, Sadus, Morbid Angel and early Death Angel. With a really solid production job (it always amazes me how some underground metal acts can pull off such profession sounding recordings on what must be shoe string budgets!) "Into the Fire" is a real winner and a great first-step for this young band.

The Black Dahlia Murder-Everblack

Metal Blade Records
2013

It's been 2 years since we last heard from Michigan's The Black Dahlia Murder. Since that last album, 2011's "Ritual" (which I also covered), bassist Ryan "Bart" Williams and drummer Shannon Lucas have departed the band and have been replaced by (respectively) Max Lavelle (formerly of Despised Icon and Goratory) and Alan Cassidy (formerly of Abigail Williams). Not that a new rhythm section is going to make a bit of difference when it comes to their overall sound, but it should at least be noted up front of this review. Seeing as you've still got vocalist Trevor Strnad and guitarists Brian Eschbach & Ryan Knight the band has made a smooth transition from "Ritual" to "Everblack". It's quite possible that the new blood has added a little to the overall edginess of The Black Dahlia Murder, but, seeing as I've misplaced my copy of "Ritual" to compare this with, I can only go off of this corrupted memory of mine. Given that little tidbit it sure does feel as if this one is more menacing and, overall, weaved together in a tighter form. "In Hell Is Where She Waits for Me" opens the flood gates of this album and for T.B.D.M. it's all or nothing as their distinct brand of melodic death metal thrashes the listener head over heels like a crushing wave. Lyrically Trevor Strnad takes a greater stand and throws everything he has out towards the listener. Whatever willpower the listener might have left is repeatedly punch by technical leads that, as stunning as they are, were reportedly quite often improvised for the record. Actually, the leads seem to be more of a focal point as these near death/thrash riffs are steady rocking all through the 10 cuts. I don't recall "Ritual" having such bone crushing guitars as "Everblack" does but either way its instantly recognizable that this group has matured their own sound while evolving for the scene. "Everblack" is T.B.D.M. giving their fans what they want and what they need, but it's also giving their fans what they didn't know they needed or even graved. This is a super solid LP that borders on excellent while never giving you a down-point.

Noisem-Agony Defined

A389 Recordings
2013

 
Here's the deal folks. This LP was actually released in 2012 under the band's previous moniker, Necropsy. Baltimore-based A389 Recordings scoped this album up for a re-release and, more then likely in an effort to differentiate themselves from the 4,000 other bands known as Necropsy, the band opted for the name change. I'd argue that was a good call for this Baltimore-based 5-piece as it will definitely help them stand out more on the world stage. This relatively young act was formed in 2008 with "Agony Defined" being their sole-recording. While the group might be young, both as a band and age-wise (all of these gents are YOUNG with bassist Yago Ventura (born in 1993) being the old man of the bunch!) there is a real sense of maturity from this group.Vocalist Tyler Carnes (Bloodlust, Cremator) is a real threat on the mic and the band, which is filled out by guitarists Sebastian Phillips & Travis Stone and drummer Harley Phillips (who is the same age as my teenage daughter!), play with such conviction and integrity (not to mention skill level!) that you'd swear they had been kicking things up for much longer then their brief existence! Sound-wise this is death/thrash along the lines of early Sepultura, Kreater, early Slayer, At War, Morbid Angel and early Artillery. Toss in some Demolition Hammer, Forbidden, early Sodom and Nuclear Assault and what you end up with a simply wicked 9-track album! While I'm not surprised that younger musicians can sound this wicked, as I know of other young musicians in thrash bands, I am surprised that this is the first time I'm hearing about this Baltimore-based act. If this is what they have to offer at this young junction of their lives then the sky's the limits for Noisem! Recommend for fans of any of the aforementioned acts or those that just like hell-spawned twisted death/thrash!

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Noisem/100512316809410?ref=ts&fref=ts
http://www.a389records.com
https://www.facebook.com/a389recordings
https://twitter.com/a389recordings

BornBroken-The Healing Powers of Hate

Self-Release/Independent
2013

I overslept this morning and woke up sick so it seemed fitting that I should check out a sick band like Canada's BornBroken. What makes them sick you might ask? Well, any band that combines the likes of Pantera, early Sepultura, Lamb Of God and Slayer into such a brutal blend of frenzied death/thrash is truly (and beautifully!) sick in my book! This Montreal-based 5-piece act was formed in 2008 with "The Healing Powers Of Hate" acting as their debut-album. With the intense vocal delivery of Jesus Salazar serving as the catalyst BornBroken rips through 10 tracks of insane death/thrash that's meant to be played LOUD! Simon Savard and Mike Decker handle the guitars on "The Healing Powers Of Hate" which, besides being a freakin' cool title for an album, is steeped neck deep in the glorious sounds of yesteryear's great. As mentioned previously, BornBroken's sound echos the early raw style of Sepultura (which was still technical in nature even if it was frenzied) and other like-minded thrash acts of the eighties like Slayer, Testament, Forbidden and Vio-lence. By adding the groove of Pantera, the grit of Hatebreed and the unholy aspects of groups like Lamb Of God they elevate that eighties-inspired brutal thrash into a true blood bath! While the vocals and guitars are spot-on one shouldn't forget about BornBroken's imposing rhythm section. Tommy Vaillacount's bass playing is nothing short of in your face and drummer Jonathan Ménard beats the living daylights out of his kick like he's involved in a mod riot or something! Fact is this band sounds like it is made up of insane metal maniacs that are hell-bent on playing whiplash-style METAL. It's all quite good and, musically at least, sounds like it was custom-built for slam-dancing to your hearts content. Given all of that I'm unable to figure out why a band this good, who have played with a huge chunk of equally good bands*, seems as if they have been flying under the radar? There's no Metal Archives page for this group and none of my fellow writers and/or friends, who are equally as passionate about all things metal, haven't heard of this band. Man, I do hope this review will inspire some of you to check them out. It is a brutal release in and of itself, but if that's not enough incentive then just check out the deluxe packaging picture below! For a self-release these Canadian death/thrashers went all out! Now that is how to issue your debut album!

 This album is recommended for fans of Slayer, Pantera, Hatebreed, (early) Sepultura and Lamb Of God although anyone who just likes crazy intense metal should appreciate this 10-track monster! Check out the link below for more information.
  
http://bornbroken.bandcamp.com/

 
*Bornbroken has played with Stroke of Genius, The Aftermath, Mythosis, Mass Murder Messiah, Anonymus, Omega Crom, Misguided Agression, The Blackcloud Syndicate, Erimha, Forbiden Sin, Resurrection Corpse, Sever the Voices, Social Fiction, Castigare, Shape the Above, Hexfire, Burning the Oppressor, Ancestor’s Revenge, Downtrodden, DopeThrone, Poison Oath, Made up a Reason, Reanimator, Branded by Pain, Death Lullaby, Pronostic, Warsenal, Sykode, Today I Caught The Plague, Virulys, Rusted, Citizen Vicious and Eternal Jugement!!!!!

The Resistance-Scars

Armoury Records
2013

I really enjoyed the blitzkrieg metal assault that was "Risen From Treason" (link below to that review).  Now The Resistance is back with the follow-up to that hardcore/thrash-infused EP. The only issue I had with the groups last last EP was it's short length. For a debut-release "Risen From Treason" was too much of a teaser. "Scars", with it's 12-tracks of punch you in the face metal, doesn't have that problem at all. Thankfully the sonic assault is longer and, dare I say, much more intense! Vocalist Marco Aro (ex-The Haunted, Facedown) leads this motley bunch of metal misfits into battle and from the word go (or in this case "fire in the hole!") it's nothing but one brutalizing track after another. Good clean, brutalizing metallic fun. Founded by former In Flames’ founder, main songwriter and guitarist Jesper Strömblad in 2011 the band also includes guitarist Glenn Ljungström (ex-In Flames), and drummer Chris Barkensjö (ex-Kaamos, ex-Repugnant). The unholy racket that comes thrashing out of these Scandinavia’s instruments is technically skilled in nature, but it's played in such a fast and furious fashion that it makes your ears bleed! While the band's EP had me thinking more along the lines of hardcore/thrash this new album cranks things up a hundred times over into a hardcore/thrash/death fusion that is seriously insane, sick and down-right twisted! Imagine old-school Swedish death metal bands like Entombed, Grave and Dismember getting sonically raped by Pantera and Slayer. However this all takes place in an alternative universe/time-line where Slayer's greatest influence was a more straight-faced and angry S.O.D. Yeah, "Scars" is a nasty little album folks. It's intense, dark and angry from the opening moments of "Clearing the Slate" until it closes with "(I Will) Die Alone" (something I fear could be my theme song). It's close to 40 minutes of beat-down, thrash your ass off,  over the top death metal from seasoned professionals. One can only dare to imagine the impact (or more likely chaos!) The Resistance will have when they play material from "Scars" live. No doubt there will be bloodshed and mayhem in the pits. Sounds like a good time to me! This LP is highly recommended for those looking for the musically equivalent of metallic anarchy!

https://www.facebook.com/theresistanceswe

http://www.eaglerockent.com/

http://metalmark.blogspot.com/search?q=The+Resistance-Rise+From+Treason

Devils Rage-Rise of Insanity

Self-Release/Independent
2012

"Stemming from central Switzerland and the dark depths beyond, namely Sursee, we are Devils Rage and would appreciate your time to review our debut studio album, "Rise of Insanity"." Thus began the email from, what I assumed would be, just another "melodic death metal" band. Anymore doesn't it just seem like this kind of band is interchangeable? Especially all of the up and coming young ones. Melodic death metal bands
are a dime a dozen and I really expected Devils Rage to be just another new band bringing nothing new to the party. As the seven track EP opened with "Intro" I was having a hard time mustering any kind of enthusiasm. Having been proved wrong on more then one occasion though I trudged on hoping for the best, but expecting the worst. I really need to learn to be more open and patient when it comes to these kinds of bands though especially as Devils Rage was kind enough to slap me in the face and give me a much needed boast of energy yesterday. As I went about doing some errands I found myself fully engaged in this young band by the end of track number two, "Because Of You". Did I really just get done saying that melodic death metal was all out of new tricks? This young band was originally formed in 2006, but (from the sound of it) didn't start to pick up steam until 2010. By that point in time they had established a steady line-up and spent two "intensive" years just playing out and building up a following. In 2012 the band was finally able to step into the studio with the resulting EP, "Rise of Insanity", being nothing short of amazing given the young nature of this band and, what was most likely, a limited budget to work with. It was Devils Rage member Patrik Schumacher (guitars) who was kind enough to send this EP my way for consideration so I must therefore throw some devil horns in the hair as a nod of appreciation in his direction. I would enthusiastically endorse this EP if just for the track "Because Of You". At close to 6 minutes in length this song goes through so many changes it's almost hard to keep track of everything! "Because Of You" falls somewhere along the lines of later day At The Gates or early The Haunted. It's something to hear somewhat softer death metal growls bouncing off of sinister thrash that flat out shreds!  Even with a run-time of 6 minutes it never gets boring as the band simply thrashes about in a manor that is both fun and frantic! In fact, with the exception of the sample-filled intro, most of the tracks here hover around the 5 minute mark which gives Devils Rage plenty of time to work in interesting time changes and catchy riffs. "Exit" is track number three and ups the band's aggression level considerably. By the time the EP ends with "Stupid" you feel as if you've been whip-lashed. "Glorious Liberation" and "Devils Rage" are insanely crunchy and showcase a young band with plenty of good ideas and a bright future ahead of them. Both of those tracks found me in a very metal mood as did "Inhuman". By "Stupid" I was rather bummed that there wasn't more to this EP! "Rise of Insanity" is sure to please those of you into the likes of In Flames, The Haunted, Arch Enemy and At The Gates while the number "Because Of You" could actually have a much wider appeal thanks to some of it's thrash-rock riffs! I look forward to what comes next for this young band. You can find out more about Devils Rage at either of the links below and "Rise of Insanity" can be downloaded from iTunes and Amazon.


 http://www.devilsrage.ch/
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Devils-Rage/36373959781?ref=ts

Signs of Chaos Interview

Canada's Signs of Chaos are one of those bands that defy any sort of simple description. Well, other then "HEAVY"! While they are an extreme metal band they also indulge in groove-oriented thrash. When mixed with their brutal, and above all else HEAVY (yep, they are HEAVY folks!), death/thrash style it's a lethal combination. Recently I sat down to find out what makes them tick and what the future has in store for this 5-piece. If you have not yet had a chance to read my review of their latest album, the almighty "Rise", you can click on the link below.

Andy-Could you introduce the band and give us a quick run-down on how Signs Of Chaos came about?

Matt-Sure, Signs of  Chaos is Matt MacIvor and Dave McCann on guitars, Nick Bedard on vocals, Tom Hansen on bass and Taylor Calderone on drums. Originally Dave and I had been playing in another band called Bioencrypt. When that band ended up disbanding we had some riffs and songs we had been working on so, Dave and I decided to start a new band to play that material. We had a different line-up originally and the style was a little different, but when Nick and Taylor came on boards things really solidified.

Andy-There's probably no real story behind the band's name other then "it sounded cool" right?

Matt-Yeah, that's pretty accurate. We had a hard time agreeing on a name for the band at first (which I think is the case for most new bands). I think we had a sheet of paper with like 20 different name suggestions at one point. We used to have this song called "Last Minute Chaos" and thought about naming the after that at one point. Dave was the one who suggested Signs Of Chaos and that was the only one that we all liked and could agree on. Also, I'm a big Testament fan and they have a song called "Sign of Chaos" so I always like that connection.

Andy-Very good. The name certainly fits your sound and style to a tee! Now, could you tell me how it is that "Rise" sounds so freaking AWESOME?

Matt-Excellent question! We recorded the album with Matt Bond at Pebble Studios here in Ottawa. Mike's kind of become the go to guy for metal bands in the city. Our drummer Taylor had worked with him before in his other band Dissentient (an awesome Ottawa progressive death metal band!) and their album sounded amazing. As soon as I heard that album I decided I wanted to work with Mike for our album as well. We're pretty happy with how it turned out!

Andy-I'd say it was a good call. OK, another routine question, but let's just roll with it. Who influenced the band?

Matt-As a band we're influenced by a lot of different stuff. I think you can hear aspects of bands like Gojira, Lamb of God, Machine Head, Testament, Nevermore, Opeth, Arch Enemy, Megadeth and stuff like that.

Tom-I'll second the Opeth again as well as Megadeth, Lamb of God, etc. Maybe some Scar Symmetry?

Dave-Back in the day I was into Vai, Santriani, Skolnick, and Friedman. These days Jeff Loomis and Chris Broderick are at the top of my list.

Taylor-My drummer influences are Gavin Harrison of Porcupine Tree, Tom Hake of Meshuggah and Mike Portnoy (ex Dream Theater).

Nick-Corey Taylor and Chad Grey inspired me to proceed in music and to scream my fucking lungs out!

Matt-When I first started out I was into guys like Tony Iommi and Dave Murray/Adrian Smith. Now, like Dave, I'm pretty influenced by Jeff Loomis and Michael Amott and probably lots of other guys I can't think of right now!

Andy-So, like I was saying, above all else I just found "Rise" to be "HEAVY". I've got to assume that when you guys bring it in a live setting that things get crazy. Lots of moshing I'm guessing right?

Matt-Yeah! Thanks! "Heavy" is definitely what we were going for! We usually get a good response to our live shows. Nick's really good at getting the crowd going. Sometimes, when it's a new crowd who are not really familiar with us already, it takes a few songs to win them over, but in the end there's typically lots of moshing and headbanging going on!

                                                   Guitarist Matt doing what he does best!

Andy-Any shows that stand out?

Matt-First show that springs to mind is when we opened for Eluveitie here in Ottawa. The show was completely sold out, packed house, and most of the people, I'd say 90%, I'd never seen at a show before (and I go to a lot of local shows!). The crowd was super pumped though and as soon we got on stage they went nuts! Even thought they had no idea who we were the pits were nuts throughout our whole set! Another time we played in Nick's home town, Limoges, which is a small little town. Even so a ton of people came out to see Nick. All I remember about the show was how the stage was shaking from people crashing into it, some guy with blood all over his face, beers getting spilled on my pedals, etc. I remember thinking "This is fucking awesome!".

Andy-Let's stay in that general ballpark. Who are some of the bands you've played with?

Matt-Our most recent show we played with Alestorm and Insomnium. We've also played with Arsis, Nightrage, Firewind, Unexpect, Necronomicon and all these other great local bands like Dissentient, Re-Animator, Insurrection, Crimson Shadows, Bolero and Aggressor. There's also been bills we've been on with Joe Thrasher, Accursed Spawn, My Shadow, ...From The Deep and probably tons of other bands I'm forgetting. We had a bit of bad luck with a couple of bigger shows getting canceled. We were scheduled to open for Nevermore and then later Scar Symmetry, but both of those shows got cancelled. We were super bummed Since we're big fans of both of those bands.

Andy-Yeah, that sucks. Other then those two bands who else would you love to play with if you could? What's a dream bill like for Signs of Chaos?

Dave-Other then those two shows we had cancelled I'd love to share the stage with Lamb of God, Arch Enemy, Opeth and/or Gojira!

Tom-Wintersun or Devin Townsend.

Nick-Slipknot!!!!

Matt-I'm going to steal some of Tom and Dave's answers. I think a pretty sweet lineup would be
Signs of Chaos, Jeff Loomis, Devin Townsend, and Gojira.

Andy-So, what does 2013 have in store for you guys? Any big plans?

Matt-Well, we had a pretty good 2012, got the album recorded and played some good shows in Ottawa. This year we'll be working on lots of new material and looking to start playing some out of town shows. Also, maybe a small tour. We definitely want to get some more exposure and get the band out there.

Andy-Before we wrap things up are there any other local bands that you think deserve mention?

Matt-Well, I should take the opportunity to promote some of our other bands. Tom and I both play in a local death metal band called Fumigation. We have our first album, "Integrated Pest Management", coming out pretty soon. Taylor also plays in Dissentient. They released an amazing album back in 2011 called "Black Hole Machine". The Ottawa scene scene has really picked up in the last few years though. There are some great bands right now. Some of my favorites are: Insurrection, Collider, Joe Thrasher, Accursed Spawn, ...From The Deep, Obduracy, Placentophagia and Deformatory. Oh, also Mortor are another great band! I could name a bunch more, but I'd still be leaving people out. Those are some of the ones that spring to mind right away.

Andy-That's a lot of names there! Its good to see that the metal scene continues to strive all over the world! Anything else you'd like to add Matt? I'll give you guys the final word.

Matt-I just want to say thanks to you for taking the time to check out our stuff and the time to write about it. We really appreciate it!

Well, there you have it folks. Be sure to check this band and if you're into groove-based (Pantera/Exhorder) heavy thrash/extreme death metal then "Rise" will satisfy your cravings!

http://metalmark.blogspot.com/search?q=Signs+of+Chaos

Intractable -Inner Decay

Self-Release/Independent
2012

It's a tragedy, but as this LP was released on December 22, 2012 it would have made a wonderful Christmas present to myself from myself. Those are the best kinds of presents after all. Thankfully I'm hearing about these guys now. The thing is I'm not sure why it's taken this long? For the life of me I can't seem to figure out how it is or why it is that good bands go unnoticed these days while we are, like the winter snow storm hitting our west coast, covered under a large pile of fluff! If I had a dollar for every good heavy metal band that got pushed aside in favor of some paint-by-numbers, "What's new is what we're gonna do!" band I'd be able to retire to the beautiful state of Tennessee (long, sad story for another day). That's neither here or there though so let's pin-point what it is about these Swish metal maniacs that makes me want to living my living room into a mosh pit! If I had to say one or the other it's thrash metal when it comes down to which genre this death/thrash four-piece leans more heavily on. That's not to say it's strictly a mash-up of the two extremes. Within the monstrous, crunch-happy bass playing of  Michael Schulerwould there's a shake or two of groove to be found within "Inner Decay". It's well within the Exhorder/Pantera school of thought but in NO WAY whatsoever does it slow this thrash train down! Formed in 2006, and lead by drummer/vocalist Benjamin Kottmann, this band muscles their way track after track of sick thrash. Guitarists Markus Hospenthal and Dominik Meier keep things intense and intriguing with the end result being a band that exists somewhere between the aggressiveness of Pantera, the old school thrash of Testament, the new school thrash of Toxic Holocaust and and the deathly thrash that is Skelentonwitch. They have managed to take a self-financed project and turn it into a professional-sounding modern metal album. With this being only their debut-album, and already a must have for death/thrash metal enthusiasts, there's something to be said about where this young band is going. You can find this 12-track beast on sites like Amazon and iTunes.
   

Free Metal Monday: Radiation-Demo 2012

Self-Release
2013

Well, where to start? I guess first thing would be the title. This 3-track (free) download is called "Demo 2012" but it says on the page that the release date is February 3rd. Alright. That's nothing compared to the confusion over what exactly Radiation is aiming for. For the greatest mystery of all is what is this? Musically these guys are all over the place. It almost sounds like they couldn't decide if they wanted to play death metal, thrash or punk so they decided to play all three genres at the same time. To say it's sloppy is an understatement. Even better is the production. This 3-track demo sounds as if it might have been recorded in an empty warehouse with the "producer" simply hitting the record button a boom box. Back in the mid-eighties that might not have been a problem, but this is 2013 when home-recordings can be made to sound like professional projects (see Arisen From Nothing). For a free download it's not too bad. That is if sloppy death metal/punk thrash is your favorite art-form!

 http://www.reverbnation.com/nukethemall

http://radiation310.bandcamp.com/album/radiation-demo-2012

Signs of Chaos-Rise

Self-Release/Independent
2012

I made the mistake last night of casually opening up this album for a late night listening experience. There I sat, curled up on my couch, just unwinding from the long day I'd just finished. I was sitting there all cozy, with a glass of wine in my hand (3rd one of the evening I believe), when I casually pushed play. "What the hey now!" I said as I just about spilled my glass all over myself! This band is HEAVY! As in face-ripping HEAVY! There I was all alone and I just had to winch as this one grabbed me by the proverbial balls and shook me about like I was some kind of rag doll in the mouth of a foaming dog! I often wonder just how it is that a band that is this good remains unsigned? It really is beyond me. What's the deal when a band like this appears everywhere from Last.fm to Amazon to Itunes (and of course the Metal Archives) and yet they remain unheralded? That right there is some pretty solid promotion. Yet again we find a band that is doing all the right things and for the right reasons (To wake the world from it's sleepy slumber with fist to the face thrash!) and yet they end up having to put out an album like "Rise" on their own dime. Why? I can't be the only one out there who has caught onto that vibe right? Where good bands far to often are left standing out in the cold while we are forced to endure yet another manufactured modern metal band. Or am I the only one who questions the wisdom of the metal gods? I mean forget "summer lovin' had me a blast" as "Rise" is like getting a blast of fire as you go about sticking your head into a furnace! This album really is some of the most "freak on a lease" heavy a** rock I've heard in awhile! No, I'm not out selling some Korn-feed nu metal nonsense where you crap on a brick and tell me it's "metal". It's more like "Holy cat in the hat Batman!" if this metal doesn't come off as the the very definition of the word "heavy" then I don't know what would! Yes, Signs of Chaos are that kind of band. What does all that mean? Hell if I even know! These guys leave me feeling all discombobulated with their Dethklok meets up with Rigor Mortis (the Texas one!) at a Pantera love-in form of groove heavy death/thrash! I seriously question how you can even have a song called "Weakness" when this is some seriously skull crushing, balls to the wall, METAL! Of course instead of "All My Loving" Signs of Chaos gives us "All My Hatred". As they spit out their anger and frustration over the state of this dying world they do it in the spirit of Gojira meeting Testament for a few pints at the local dive-bar. It's presented in such a way that you can't help but want to thrash out while the band is screaming at this world for answers. As a means of getting the message out Signs of Chaos use the mighty axe and the mighty amp as their weapons. They bring the reality of this world right through your stereo speakers in a way that is frighteningly heavy and all the more real. These guys are the real deal and another young band that could very well represent the future of heavy metal. Hear for yourself why I'm all shook up at the link below!

https://soundcloud.com/signs-of-chaos 

Gloria Morti-Lateral Constraint

Metal Blade Records / Cyclone Empire
2013

I wouldn't even attempt to write down all the line-up changes this band has had since forming in Heinola, Finland in 1999. Four albums in and this Finnish band has shuffled the deck so many times it would make your head spin. Let's skip the line-up and history then and just get to the real meat of the matter. This band might have formed with the simple goal to "have fun and play thrash", but the music is anything but "fun" or "thrash" (or simple thrash if you like). The lyrics tackle the subject of mankind's inability to "step aside and think outside the box" while the music, dark and nightmarish, is an unrelenting mix of death metal, black metal and modern thrash. Envision a band that fits comfortably along the lines of The Crown and/or Dark Tranquility and you should know what to expect. These guys are no carbon-copy of either band though as they offer up deathly thrash that is capable of being technically efficient while simultaneously ripping out your innards as an offering to the gods of metal! Yes, it's that kind of release.

Chariots of The Gods-Tides of War

Self Release
2013

Is it Christmas already? It sure seems like it when gifts like this start showing up in my Inbox! Santa must have thought I was an extra nice little boy this year to have dropped this great death/thrash album right into my stocking! Chariots of The Gods are a talented Ottawa, On-based band who have been on the road since 2008. During that time they have shared the stage/thrashed about like maniacs with the likes of Voivod, Misfits, Despised Icon, Kataklysm, Blind Witness, Anti-Flag, Misery Index, Slaves On Dope, Martyr, Fuck the Facts, Blackguard, Neuraxis, The Agonist, Reanimator and Insurrection. This new album follows on the heals of the band's 2010 debut EP, "Reverence", and features 14 tracks of unapologetic death/thrash with an emphasis squarly placed on thrashing out. "Tides of War" finds the band (Renaud Jobin-vocals, Mathieu St-Amour-guitar, Dimitri Gervais, Payam Doryani-bass and Rich O' Neil-drums) in a violent mood as they unleash fast & furious "punch you in the face" metal that has just enough of a melodic coating to keep things interesting. Without getting too emotional for this gift that Santa gave me (How does he know me so well? How did he know that what I really wanted for Christmas was face-ripping metal?) I've just got to say thank he heavens (And jolly, old Saint Nick) that not all death/thrash bands turn melodic moments into soft mush. "Tides of War" features some fantastic melodies and technical riffs that are to die for. They ended up reminding me a bit of Annihilator in that sense. While we are on the subject of similar sounding bands (Only use this as a point of reference though as Chariots of The Gods have a very unique and since sound going for them) this Ottawa act also seems to have been influenced by the likes of Arch Enemy, Megadeth, In Flames, Trivium, Unearth and As I Lay Dying. All those influences mix about inside the machine that is Chariots of The Gods and what remains left over in the end is mosh-inducing molten metal! Produced by Glen Robinson (Queensryche, The Ramones, AC/DC, Gwar, Annihilator and Voivod), "Tides of War" is a 14-song battle cry and a must-have for melodic death/technical thrash fans.

 

Mortor-Shoot 'Em Up

Self-Release
2012



This is a self-release? Really? Someone, somewhere must have had this band's music slide across their desk and then (you can't see it folks, but I'm shaking my head in disbelief) passed on it for yet another lame radio metal band. In the words of our good friend Mr. T-"I pity the fool!". There should be a special place in hell for record labels that let band's like Ottawa, ON based Mortor remain unsigned while subjecting us to the same crap "metal" bands over and over. Mortor, who formed in 2008 and were "Born from the creative mind of rhythm guitarist David Paquette", give us the follow-up to their 2010 debut release "Metal Ride". Over my second cup of coffee I am (pleasantly) having my ears assaulted by a band obvious influenced by Sodom (as well as Slayer, Testament, Kreator, Motörhead, Sepultra and Morbid Angel) that sounds like they have been at it for longer then their bio suggests. This is mature, well-crafted, perfectly executed death thrash with sinister vocals, meaty guitar hooks, barbaric drumming and gritty bass (the bass especially reminded me a lot of Sodom or, to a lesser extent, Slayer). What is really nice though is the fact that there is nothing "paint-by-numbers" about Mortor. While a lot of death metal/thrash bands sound nasty enough it almost sounds as if they are just going through the motions. Not Mortor. On their sophomore release Mortor tear a hole the sky and thrash and bash their way through it. Again, Mortor are one of those bands that is not for your casual "metal" fan. No, this is for those who like it LOUD, FAST and HEAVY. Simply put good stuff and an album made by metal fans for metal fans. If only every Monday morning could be spent with a band like Mortor. That would be bliss folks...pure bliss. Do yourself a favor and just get this album.