Deathblow-Demolition Deployment

Self-Release/Independent
2016

Deathblow is a wicked as f**k four-piece band from Salt Lake City, Utah that combines all of the best elements of death metal metal and thrash into one kick ass package. "Demolition Deployment" is the group's latest effort and along with the title track and "Implements Of Destruction" it features a choice cover of the Motörhead song "Mean Machine". It's available for download at the following link and since it only costs one measly dollar there is no reason whatsoever that you shouldn't add it to your collection! And yes, you can thank me later....

Vörgus-White Trash Hellraisers

Infernö Records
2016

Vörgus is a Stockholm, Sweden-based metal band that has been tearing up the scene since the early part of 2000. The fucking LOUD "White Trash Hellraisers" is the group's (long overdue, but much appreciated!) sophomore album and this insane release was recorded at ABF Studios Jakobsberg & Solna Sound Recordings in Sweden. With a grand total of 11 fist bangin' tracks in all(!), "White Trash Hellraisers" comes some seven years after the release of Vörgus' debut album, "Hellfueled Satanic Action", but given how crazy busy guitarist Straight-G's life seems to be (see below for proof*) one can easily understand why it took so long for this unholy beast to be unearthed! In addition to the shredtastic solos of returning ax man Straight-G, "White Trash Hellraisers" features the mad skills of longtime drummer, Mikke Killalot (Ad Infinitum, ex-Deformity, ex-Dysangelic, ex-Shadowsoul, ex-Sorg). Such consistency goes a long towards the overall success of Vorgues' second full-length studio album, but that's not the only thing that this release has in common with 2009's "Hellfueled Satanic Action". Just like it's predecessor, "White Trash Hellraisers" finds guitarist Mike Wead (King Diamond/Mercyful Fate) sitting in the producer's chair and it's a hell of a nice reunion to say the least! Mike Wead does an excellent job of keeping everyone and everything in check while always giving this down and dirty band plenty of room to full-out rage!! It's like a match made in heaven for these hell-riding metalheads and the end result speaks for itself! Now fronted by groovy cool bassist/vocalist Belze Bo (Killersmile), Vörgus has all but perfected their brutal mix of death, thrash metal, speed, traditionally heavy metal and Motörhead-inspired black n' roll. That much is evident by not only the great title cut (man I love it!), but such gems as "Sado Zombies", "Worst Nightmare", "Raising Hell", "Chainsaw", "Exterminator", and "Hellfuck 2015"! With everyone's favorite holiday right around the corner this bad ass batch of demonic songs might just make for the perfect soundtrack come Halloween. Especially for those ghouls and goblins out there that might be planing to engage in some good old-fashion mischief and mayhem! Heavier than hell itself and way more hot to the touch, "White Trash Hellraisers" will be out on October 20th so be sure to mark down the date! 
 




*Considered armed and dangerous with that lethal 6-string ax of his, Straight-G (Goatsodomizer, Morito Ergo Sum, ex-Deformity, Atomic Revelation, Baby Jesus Fetus, Black Wizards, Cadaver Gang, Cosmic Owl, Division Vansinne, Electric Mayhem, K.Y.M., Messias Doom Orchestra, S.B.D., Satanic Devil Pig, Slut Circus, Smoked Pony, The Curse, Trosskydd, ex-Burning Darkness, ex-Chainsaw, ex-Internal Decay, ex-Pandemonic) certainly has ties to a crap-load of bands. While I can't vouch for these other acts, Vörgus is fucking terrific when it comes to the guitar solos! From straight out speed metal to thrash rock this mosh-worthy recording has more than it's fair share of rip-roaring leads so take care to drive responsibly when under it's influence.

Free Metal Monday: New Jersey Metal Attack Vol. 1

NVNM Productions
2016

Today's Free Metal Monday feature (which was just released today!) comes courtesy of the fine folks over at NVNM Productions. Available for free by clinking on this link, "New Jersey Metal Attack Vol. 1" includes five new and unreleased songs from some of the talented groups that are affiliated with NVNM Productions  Said bands include Jaws Of Hades, Siege Column, Retaliation, Nefarious Cabal, and DSS and in addition to this name-your-price digital download there will be a limited number* of hand-dubbed cassette available in the very near future. For more information on the limited-edition cassette tape or the individual bands that were involved with this HEAVY sampler be sure to check out the link that was posted above.

*Only 50 copies will be made available!

Solipsist-The Burning Mass

Ferocious Records
2015

Solipsist is a long-running metal band that is based in Cleveland, Ohio and has two EPs, two splits and (thanks to this late March release) two full-length albums to it's name. Since day one this five-piece group has been fronted by lead singer/producer Noah Buchanan (From the Hellmouth, Ron George, Nunslaughter (live), Arecibo) and on their latest release here this extreme front-man is aided by the mad skills of Mark Witherspoon (guitars), Steve Sinko (guitars), Dave Vezdos (bass), and Dave Chojnacki (drums). While the group issued it's first EP, "Medicate the Masses", back in 2007 it was actually Solipsist's 2010 full-length debut, "The Human Equation" that put this (HEAVY as HELL) metal band on everyone's radar. Between that release and the band's (equally-epic) 2012 follow-up (the self-released "Extinction Protocol") it was GAME ON MOTHERFUCKERS for these Cleveland death thrashers and "The Burning Mass" is no exception! Self-produced by Noah Buchanan and his fellow bandmates, "The Burning Mass" is Solipsist's first full-length album on actual label and they celebrate this glorious occasion in grand style. In other words they pull down the heavens and stomp the living fuck out of anything and anyone that dares get in their way!!! By this point in their stellar career the guys in Solipsist have made easy work of the whole slash 'em/bash 'em style of death metal thrash and in many people's minds they are towards the top of the heap as far as that type of extreme music is concerned. Thankfully much of what you'll hear on this album tilts towards that same direction. Heavily in fact! But then it's also no great secret that the guys in Solipsist like to pull in different elements of not only death metal (melodic and technical) and thrash (the same as far as melodic and technical goes, but also raw, hardcore-tinged thrash!), but things like heavy power metal, metalcore and groove. It's not as if any of that has suddenly disappeared with the group's second studio album or anything. With "The Burning Mass" you get all of that metallic taste, but with no artificial colors or flavors! Every once of fat has been trimmed from this huge slab of meat which ends up leaving nothing but a prime-time (grab some cold beers fellas!) meal that you'll want to gobble up in one sitting! Once more this criminally-underrated Ohio band brings pride to our metal scene and with it's pristine production job and absolutely perfect framework they also highlight the glorious state of extreme metal here in the U.S.! Over the past few years Solipsist has all but destroyed the notion that independent/underground metal bands can't compete on the big stage with the name brand artists and I'd dare anyone to go and listen to "The Burning Mass" and then tell me in all honestly that it doesn't belong in the same league as said bands! This Cleveland band has reached it's evolutionary peak and it's a place where all the best characteristics of death metal, thrash, metalcore, groove, and even (modern) hard rock/heavy metal rest comfortably in the knowledge that there is no more that needs to be achieved! Every-bit the real deal and an absolute must-buy for fans of all things BRUTAL and BEASTLY, "The Burning Mass" made me see Solipsist in a whole new light and chances are it will do the same thing to you. I've been a fan of this extreme metal band since I first heard "The Human Equation" back in early 2011 and even so there is no way in heaven or hell that I could have foreseen just how FUCKING amazing this gang would get! Do whatever needs to be done to snag and bag this CD and if you live anywhere near where this band is playing live then drop what you're doing and get out there & get down with this bad ass metal machine!

Gautama-All Is Silence

Bigsound-NC
2014

Independently released at the tale end of October of last year (which sure makes it look as if the band has since been picked up by Bigsound-NC), "All Is Silence" is the full-length debut album from New Caledonia-based Gautama. Influenced by the likes of Sepultura, Lamb Of God and Pantera (and, thank the devil down below himself(!), really sounding for all the world like a rage-filled, underground/garage metal version of those three previously-mentioned influences mashed together into a gooey paste!) this female-fronted heavy thrash/death metal act was formed in 2008 with this (cool as shit) Christophe Planche-produced LP serving as their proper introduction to the ever-expanding metal universe. With a grand total of 7 tracks (of which we're talking about raw primal metal of the headbanging to hell variety!!) this is as good a first recording as they come and it definitely leaves you with an overall favorable impression of this young act. Besides playing guitar alongside equally capable bandmate Alexandre Verdier, with Bruno Fontebasso (bass) and Colin Soriano (drums) rounding out the lethal rhythm section quite nicely, Cloé Soriano takes care of the vocal duties in Gautama and she does it in a very unapologetic, in-your-face with my spike-laden fists of fury, no-holds barred kind of way! This fierce front-woman/warrior also leaves a favorable impression when it's all said and done and for Gautama it's a good selling point. From the way in which these four death thrashers come together here on "All Is Silence" there is little doubt as to what this young band is all about! "All Is Silence" was an important first-step out into the world of metal and, being that it is the band's first piece of recorded history and what not, it's a real nice "How do you do? Would you care to bang your head like a fucking madman?" kind of platter. The downside of all of this? It's only 7-tracks of  worthwhile chaos and by the time this band starts to fall into a dirty groove it's all done. More would have been nice. That should come though sooner or later as this lot offers so much promise that their take on heavy thrash/death metal just screams out to be expanded and further explored! It would be hard NOT to cheer the fuck out for a group like this and recommended them to fellow lovers of all things extreme! Gautama is worth taking a chance on if early Sepultura is your thing or if you get giddy over the though of a deadlier Lamb Of God! Digitally at least, "All Is Silence" can be found on both iTunes and Amazon and for more information on these four metal maniacs be sure to head on over to their Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/GAUTAMA.NC

Psychotic Gardening-Hymnosis

Self-Release/Independent Recording
2014

Due to be released tomorrow (May 13th, 2014), "Hymnosis" makes it four full-length albums for Winnipeg, Manitoba's Psychotic Gardening. Having first been assembled in the mid-nineties by vocalist/guitarist Chuck Labossiere (at the time a member of Immortal Possession) this one-time solo project has slowly grown into it's own. A unrelenting side-effect of heavy metal that has run amok, unrestricted by the barriers that are meant to keep everything in check (whether, as in the case of Psychotic Gardening, it's doom or death, groove or goth) this metallic freak of nature is pure, unfiltered fury and we, the heavy metal community at large, are all the better for it! Currently featuring a superb line-up of Labossiere (guitars, vocals and keyboards), (second) vocalist Chris "Gillshammer" Gillis (Mnemonic Void, Reign of Terror), guitarist Andrew Wiens (Aberration, ex-Children of Tragedy), bassist Mike "Junior" Jannsen (Eyam, Kaluza, ex-Damascus) and drummer Matt Penner this uncompromising (Canadian) monster of metal fury is as extreme as they come! And no, we're not even talking about the lyrical content* of "Hymnosis" here!  Joined by a couple of guests like Will "Willishammer" Janssen (additional keyboards on "Journey to the Sun"), Into Eternity's Tim Roth and Broken Hope's Chuck Wepfer (two guitarists, both of whom play on the band's choice Death cover, "Open Casket"), Manitoba's Psychotic Gardening manhandles their instruments, striking the listener with deadly blows to the head via the eardrums! With roots that seemingly point to not only old-school death metal, post-Pentagram doom metal and hardened thrash, but traditional heavy metal and the previously mentioned groove and goth (yes, truly all of that morphs together here on "Hymnosis" in a killer way!) Psychotic Gardening have a real raging vibe about them and any attempt to downplay the utter brute-force of this 41 minute platter would be ill-advised! This could prove to be one of 2014's most dangerous releases as it has mean look at it and it's bark is as dangerous as it's trap-jaw bite! It would be disastrous if this album was overlooked by the metal community at large as Psychotic Gardening's "Hymnosis" is METAL
and it strikes all the right cords! For Chuck Labossiere a release like this one has to be rewarding as it's build upon a solid foundation of THICK metal riffs and SICK solos that will stand tall against the inevitable wave of piss-poor imitators! Get on board with this lot while you still can folks as this (fully-armed battle) ship is going to be causing some major waves soon enough as they bring the hammer down on the competition !

 https://www.facebook.com/pages/Psychotic-Gardening/8376017862

*This band's fierily attack on religion, or more specifically Christianity, is boldly spelled out make no mistake of that!

Despot-Satan in the Death Row

Self-Release/Independent
2013

With a trio of EPs due for release starting sometime later this year, "Satan in the Death Row", which was the first full-length release from one-man project Despot, is worth investigating if only so that it can serve as some sort of foundation/introduction to this Brazilian black metal project. The biography of Despot seems simple enough. Formed in 2008 by sole member Marcelo Murrer (formerly of Necrocult and Unholy Massacre Marcelo takes care of all of the music here incl. vocals and instruments), Despot hails from Belo Horizonte, Brazil (the same sinister area that brought us Sepultura and Sarcofago among others!) and while this might just have been the group's first full-length release it wasn't Despot's first foray into the studio as three demos were issued between 2009 and 2010! With "Satan in the Death Row" the oddity doesn't simply begin and end with the cover artwork (no idea about that one friends...) seeing as Despot enjoys a hearty breakfast featuring just about all kinds of meaty metal! There's hints of  German thrash (early Sodom and Destruction) as well as the music of Despot's hometown (Sepultura, Sarcofago and even Mutilator). There's (of course) the black metal influences (Celtic Frost, early Rotting Christ and Bathory) and even death metal influences such as Immolation, Angel Corpse and Morbid Angel. But then there's also influences and sounds that you just can't quite put your finger on. As the drum parts here are programmed, which is the (unfortunately) one of the chief complaints about "Satan in the Death Row", there's a slightly off-setting mechanical vibe to the material but even beyond that the music of Despot is just....different. Sole member Marcelo Murrer obviously knows what he wants by this point in time it's just that Despot (even for a eclectic black metal band) bring so much to the breakfast table to devour that there are occasions when it gets downright messy! Still, there's just something about "Satan in the Death Row" that makes you want to hear more from Murrer's project so I'll be keeping an eye out for the new EPs so that we can further explore the music and the madness that lies at the heart of Despot. Until then, should you feel adventurous and in need of some simple mind expansion that is, give this album a workout of your own. You never know, but you just might find yourself as keenly drawn in by the odd appeal of this Brazilian one-man project as I and many others have been!

http://despotband.bandcamp.com/

Dark Century-Murder Motel

Self-Release/Independent
2014

Melting pot metal is what Montreal-based Dark Century churns out on album number two. Active since 2000, with the cleverly-titled "Days of the Mosh" appearing in 2008, and fronted by Leather King (Fearsome, Sacrifycia, ex-Sunseth, Fried Pope, Krushem, ex-Erimha, ex-Metal University), who replaced "The Throat" as lead vocalist(!), Dark Century ensures that the listening public is treated to nothing short of full-blown CHAOS and DESTRUCTION on "Murder Motel". Call it "modern metal" if you must, but for the sake of clarity it's a smattering of this (death metal) and that (raw street thrash) only with this bunch it's all held tightly in place thanks to barb-wire wrapped hardcore and grind! And boy is it ever UGLY! Beautifully ugly that is! Fast & frenzied death metal drumming collides with hardcore-tinged (demonic) grind vocals while thrash metal's (chewed up and spit out) harsh underbelly is exposed thanks to Erik Fernet-Evans' throat slashing leads! It's all good, (un)clean fun from the startling moments of opener "In Our Veins" (a cut that jumps from the shadows like a meat-cleaver madman!!!!) until "Gore on my Snare" rolls you up in a body bag at the end! And with cuts like the zombie-themed "Dead Birds" and "Mosh Test Dummies" (love the title guys!) keeping the party hopping in-between "In Our Veins" and "Gore on my Snare" it's hard not to walk away with a smile on your face when it's all said and done!   

Tyrants Blood-Coven

Tridroid Records
2014

Back in September of 2013 I covered Tyrant Blood's excellent "Into the Kingdom of Graves", an album that, besides (eventually) being released on LP (a very cool looking piece of vinyl at that!), was also issued under Tridroid Records. "Coven", while it will unfortunately not see a physical release (this one is digital only boys and girls), is nonetheless as impressive of a release if only because it collects previously released material by Vancouver-based extreme metal act (or at least material that has seen physical release before, but never digital release!) and crafts a sort-of, kind-of, "Best Of" scenario! For the uninitiated amongst you Tyrants Blood play a fairly BRUTAL form of extreme metal that highlights all the good pieces/parts of said genre (death metal, thrash and black metal) and, after compressing them under a pile of hellfire and damnation, spits it all back out at the listener with enough piss and vinegar to make one smile all day long! Not much more needs to be said as this act needs to be experienced to be appreciated so stop whatever it is you're doing (besides reading this wonderful review!) and head to the link below to download this beauty of a beast!

http://tyrantsbloodtridoid.bandcamp.com/


Review of previously released "Into the Kingdom of Graves" album:
http://metalmark.blogspot.com/search?q=Tyrants+Blood-Into+the+Kingdom+of+Graves+

Endless Chaos-Rejected Arocity

Self-Release
2014

"Abrasive, energetic and chaotic" are the three words that Winnipeg, Manitoba-based Endless Chaos choose to describe their uncompromising sound. And on their upcoming EP, "Rejected Arocity" (Which is inspired by the horror movie "Re-Animator" of all things! Sweet!), those three words are more than a little appropriate! Three other words that could be used to describe this five-piece band would have to be thrash, death and black! That's what these five fine gentlemen (Vocalist Jordan Dorge, Guitarists Mike Menza & Mike Toews, Bass Guitarist Jeff Humarang and Drummer James Burton) bring to the party! So far there doesn't seem to be any artwork for this 3-track EP (hence the band photo above), but that's neither here nor there in regards to what this Winnipeg band coughs up thanks to a tantalizing blend of (influences) Kreator, Testament, Sepultura, Dissection, Carnage, Skeletonwitch and Black Sabbath! Mixed and mastered by Ryan Forsyth Recorded at Grimfrykt Media Productions, which gives this one a pure joy of an underground vibe, this EP (the band's debut release!) also stretches the boundaries of death and thrash by  incorporating other (subtle) influences along the lines of Impaled, Death, Slayer, Havok, Dark Angel, Carcass and Dismembered! Having (so far) shared the stage with not only one of their influences (Skeletonwitch), but bands such as Wretched, 3 Inches of Blood, Aborted and Kataklysm, Endless Chaos has seemingly come a long way in a very short time! Fans of aggressive thrash/death would due well to check out this EP. For now you can hear two of three tracks from "Rejected Arocity" at the bandcamp like below.


http://endlesschaos1.bandcamp.com/music 

Legion of the Damned-Ravenous Plague

Napalm Records
2014

Legend of the Damned (LOTD for short), who hail from the Netherlands, was formed back in 2004 out of the remains of blacked thrash act Occult. The group's first release, 2006's "Malevolent Rapture", was produced by Andy Classen and featured the line-up of  vocalist Maurice Swinkels, guitarist Richard Ebisch, bassist Twan Fleuren (R.I.P. 2011) and drummer Erik Fleuren. Now, after eight long years together (and five previously released full-length albums), the band has enlisted producer Andy Classen once more for the upcoming 2014 release, "Ravenous Plague". These days the band features founding members Maurice Swinkels and Erik Fleuren as well as bassist Harold Gielen (2007 to present day) and guitarist Twan van Geel (2011 to present day). As the group's last full-length release "Descent Into Chaos" (which featured Richard Ebisch on guitar) came out in early 2011 this is the first full-length recording to feature Twan van Geel in all of his glory and his skills never come into question on LOTD's album number six! Due for release in early January of 2014, with a limited edition bonus disc reportedly available as well (in what format I am not quite sure as I only received a digital link for the original 11-track release), the game-plan on "Ravenous Plague" is rather straight-forward (even if the actual execution of said game-plan is more complex). Without name-dropping any other bands as that would be kind of useless (as well as a disservice to the four gentlemen that make up LOTD) let's just say that this is heavy thrash/death metal with a bit of a German vibe surrounding the whole affair (which is interesting seeing as the band did a split with Germany's Kreator back in late June of this year!). Musically this is metal with plenty of muscle as well as one of those releases where everything is gloriously raw and ugly! Words like brutal, gritty and pulverizing all come to mind when you listen to an album like this and even if I haven't heard all of their other albums it's seems fairly obvious that fans of LOTD should appreciate the unrelenting nature of  this upcoming release!

Sic Zone-Bear The Consequences

Dr. Music Records
2013

A German heavy thrash/death metal that employees some groove? Really? Isn't that so very shocking? No? Yeah, you're right. Maybe it's not that shocking. Somewhere way in the very back, deep dark recesses of my mind I'm certain that others have walked that walk before.Do you want to hear a secret though? Do you promise not to tell?  Do you pinky swear? Yes? Well, I wasn't sold on on this one by way of it's "description", but what's written on paper doesn't always tell the full story I've always tried to preach. And the "story" of this German band does  has a bit of weight to it. Under their previous name, A-Rise, the band released two demos and two full-length albums. Reportedly back then they were catering to the death metal masses with their music. The name change came about this year (reportedly after the world didn't end on time like so many predicted) with their full-length debut release, "Bear The Consequences", following closely behind. Given that the style change isn't technically all that drastic I'm sure that fans of the old would and should find some of this metal material interesting and intriguing. While they don't spell out exactly who it was that transferred over from A-Rise to Sic Zone, which would have helped some, there is still a line-up given here that includes vocalist/guitarist PY, guitarist Morbid, bassist Chico and drummer/percussionist KY. As they play such hybrid metal the influences are fairly obvious and even spelled out. Machine Head, Pantera and Sepultura all top the list, but there's also some Mudvayne and Slipknot that I detected. When it's finished off with elements of progressive metal, extreme metal, thrash rock and even hardcore it's way more interesting and gripping then any one tag alone could do justice to. So, with that out of the way let's head back to my little secret then. The thing is, even if it didn't sound as if it would be an album I'd get into (damn those promo descriptions LOL!) I actually really enjoyed this one and the way in which it played out. I found it much more enjoyment then I thought previously possible and a big part of that has to do with not the overall heaviness of this project, but the way in which the group shakes things up with the additional use of percussion and (at the top of my list) the hate-filled delivery of vocalist PY!  On "Bear The Consequences" the listener is pulled in by PY's ability to both scream and deliver these softer, and somewhat psychotic, moments in which he "sings". His voice is somewhat unsettling which works well in the constraints of this album. Overall Sic Zone have issued a really solid debut-album and have hit on a style that really suites their ability. This is a fine start for this German band.

http://www.siczone.de/ 

 

www.facebook.com/siczone 

Death Toll Rising-Infection Legacy

Self-Release

2013

 

Quite possibly possessing one of the coolest band names around, Alberta, Canada's Death Toll Rising offer up their second full-length release since forming back in 2002. With their last album,  2010's "Defecation Suffocation" (also a self-release), receiving heaps of praise it was time to put up or shut up for this Canadian band. Happily "Infection Legacy" rises to the occasion and this death/thrash band avoids the dreaded "sophomore slump". Lead vocals rest in the hands of Jesse Berube and while he easily slips into full "cookie monster death metal growls" mode without warning there are still more then enough occasions where you can pick up on what this band is preaching. Typically that means all things doom, gloom and mass destruction, but this bunch has even been known to sing about the horrors of suffocation by feces! I'm fairly certain that is one fear that we all share! Elsewhere we find the band's two guitarists, Tylor Dory and Drew Copland, engaging in a fine display of Floridian death metal solos (Obituary, Death, Morbid Angel and Cannibal Corpse all spring to mind) while Bryan Newbury's drumming keeps the beat nice and frenzied! Meanwhile, bass duties are split between the two guitarists and one Mr. Ryan Berehulke. All told the band covers a lot of ground (music-wise) as their sound recalls not only the previously mentioned Florida bands, but also the likes of Carcass, Bloodbath and Mortification! As the group features veterans of such groups as The Dead Cold, The Order Of Chaos, Into Eternity and Beneath The Remains there is an obvious skill-level here that should not be discounted. Fans of Floridian death metal should find plenty to love about Death Toll Rising's latest disc as should those of you who consider heavy, thrash-tinged death metal to be a dying art-form. You can find out more about this bunch at their Facebook page below.

https://www.facebook.com/DeathTollRising 

Crowdburn-Ignition

Discouraged Records
2013

Leave it to Sweden (Umeå, Sweden to be exact) to deliver another helping of fresh and exciting material in the form of a LP! I am beginning to wonder if  they just pass out instruments to newborns over there and then preach to them that their sole-goal in life will be to form either a rock and roll band or, in this case, a heavy metal one. It's possible right? Really though it does make sense that so many cool bands come from Sweden since we're talking about a place where youngsters (4th graders and up I believe?) are encouraged  to learn to play an instrument. I wish it was like that here in the States. Anyway, here we have Crowdburn who were formed in late 2010. I didn't bother with the band's description before I hit "play" so when brutal Pantera (by way of street level hardcore) kicked in I was like "Sweetness!". Then things got really interesting. Suddenly the group swung full circle and "Burning Crowd", the album's opening cut, when from this thrash/hardcore/groove number into heavy rock/heavy metal territory. Weird right? Well, actually it was cool...really cool. Here we have a "metal" that isn't afraid in the least to toss in any and everything into their sound. The difference between Crowdburn and "experiment" or "avant-garde" bands though is things never sound crazy, but rather natural. Well, there's that and then there's the fact that this 5-piece has heaps of talent and never tries to make things sound like their from another galaxy or anything. The band, which features a great lead vocalist in Aron Andersson, does a little bit of everything here. Or rather they experiment with a little bit of everything. Oops, I said the "experiment" word didn't I? Don't let that turn you off or scare you though. The guys in Crowdburn really keep things interesting, but it's also really intense so there's no way you could become confused and not realize just have HEAVY and LOUD these metal musicians are. On tracks like "Alligator" and "Fire In The Hole" the band rocks hard and thrashes even harder. These guys are NEVER afraid to lay some smack down on the listener even if they might be shaking things up music-wise. With a pair of talented guitarists (Christoffer Lindmark and Patrik Wall) making sure that the lead solos are every bit as sweet as they can be (you'll pick up on everything from Iron Maiden to Velvet Revolver!) an album like "Ignition" moves along smoothly. On bass you have a guy (Jonathan Holmgren) who keeps the bottom-end heavy and slightly fuzzy while drummer Andreas Grehn helps to keep this ship steady and on course while also making sure that the rhythm section doesn't get ignored! Even if you have a cut like "Sign Away Your Life", which almost sounds more like a 90's alternative rock number as interpreted by a modern metal act, throwing some (slight) confusion into the mix there's no denying that "Ignition" is a downright cool listening experience. If you can get past any preconceived notions that you might have about a heavy metal/thrash metal band pulling in everything from punk rock to acoustic rock then there's a wealth of treasure to be found on "Ignition". This one comes highly recommended my friends.

Exitus-Statutum Est Hominibus Mori

Svart Records
2013

Well, well, well what do we have here? Cult metal from Finland? Oh yeah! And this one is a golden oldie of the most wicked of forms...hybrid metal. More to the point this one is part doom, part death and part thrash and all kinds of epic evilness! It's screwy to think that this was the sole release from Finnish act Exitus as it's so damn good! Originally this was released back in 1990 and as demo to boot! Mostly it was passed along through the metal underground of the day which is quite remarkable in and of itself considering this was in a day and age before the Internet and there was only about 300 copies made to begin with. Now this band, which was only in existence from 1989 to 1990, is getting another shot at fame thanks to the folks at Svart Records. The promo material states that this one is "an absolute must for fans of Dream Death, Hellhammer, Celtic Frost and Candlemass" and I couldn't agree more! Musically these guys fit in well with those kinds of bands thanks to their dark and dismal take of thrash-heavy doom metal. For this re-release the 30 minute demo has been remastered so, while it still retains it's cool underground vibe, it's easily accessible thanks to some well-achieved fine-tuning. Svart Records is making this re-release available on vinyl with gatefold covers and it will come with an additional bonus CD-EP featuring ultra-rare, unreleased live and rehearsal tracks! This one is a limited-edition run with 350 copies available in black and 150 available in gold so it's best not to twiddle your fingers if you've interested in this piece of history!

All Else Fails-Fucktropolis

Suicidal Bride Records
2013

The last time Edmonton, Alberta's 4-piece metal juggernaut All Else Fails stopped by Heavy Metal Time Machine for a visit they left my ear drums rattled and my body was reduced to nothing but mush! That all came courtesy of simply streaming their killer 2011 album, "The Oracle, What Was, Is And Could Have Been", which you can read about at the link below. Given how much I appreciated the band's previous mash-up of melodic thrash metal, punk, traditional heavy metal, hard rock and metalcore I was beyond psyched for this EP's release. After running through these tracks a couple times already, which is something since I just got this promo earlier in the week and all, I'm yet again left with a body in ruins thanks to the heavy-loaded, thrashtastic assault that comes from listening to All Else Fails! But, while the band's hybrid metal attack might have ended up shredding my body, I'm left with my spirits held high and I walk away with a sick sense of enjoyment as this kind of bone-snapping metal is always a welcomed experience! As there are actually living people (and not metal monsters) behind this music let's do a run down on the who and the what of All Else Fails and this, their 4th overall release. Front and center is Barrett Klesko who handles vocals, guitar and programming. Yes, "programming" folks! On "Fucktropolis", which (title-wise) is sure to be a hit with those wonderful censors and all, the band adds in some "experimental" ideas such as samples and synth lines in order to catch the listener off guard. It works, but there's no worries when it come right down to it as this Edmonton act still gets down and dirty with the thrash and all. Even so these added bits and pieces of an experimental nature (which also includes some casual tiptoeing into the classical arena) actually add to this EP's urgent intensity. For example (and it's an idea that helps to set the pace of this release), this EP opens with a speech by Martin Sheen about "The Global Village". Under this piece of spoken word sampling we find All Else Fails building up steam as the speech carries on. As you listen in to this speech you can't help but get caught up in the uneasy feeling that the track conveys. By the time some sick, harsh and downright brutal vocals (no worries folks as this one comes with clean and harsh vocals) kick in you've almost forgotten that this isn't the first time that we've had metal with a message, but seldom does it spring out of the gate this volatile and energized!  When you're talking about that kind of  "experimental" material you're also talking about a band that first and foremost knows who they are and what they are. This is a band that isn't afraid to rattle the cage a little by throwing different elements into their music. It's what has made All Else Fails such a widely traveled band that can play with just about anyone at any given moment. Otherwise how do you explain a band that can play with both Suffocation and the Dayglo Abortions? That right there says something about how All Else Fails can fit in with just about any band and any style of music. It's like All Else Fails looked at my personal CD collection and said "we should tour with these different acts and let everyone from punks to bangers lay witness to our furious onslaught!" and then they did! That's pretty damn close to being all out-wicked. Anyway, as we got off track let's run down the rest of this EP's line-up. Standing by Barrett Klesko's side is guitarist Mike Sands and together the pair just sit back and shred over the course of this EP! The sick and twisted riffs end up keeping "Fucktropolis" firmly planted as a metal release despite the new twists and turns. Every good band needs a sinister rhythm section so that is where Seedy Mitchell (bass, vocals) and Shane Tym (drums). They keeps things well-rounded and together the four musicians come together and merge into the perfect thrashing machine. While there were moments in the past when this band drew comparisons to As I Lay Dying, which isn't necessarily a bad thing, with this new EP they have made huge strides to forge their own identity. True, this digital promo does come packed with the usual "recommendations". It recommends this EP to fans of Killswitch Engage, In Flames, Alexis On Fire, Cancer Bats and Five Finger Death Punch and there's no doubt that yes, fans of those previously mentioned acts (as well as As I Lay Dying) should dig what All Else Fails is raging on about. But, that's just a recommendation as the truth is All Else Fails comes custom-packed with enough originality that it's time to just say that All Else Fails sounds like All Else Fails. No more and no less. In other words just get this EP!
http://allelsefails.bandcamp.com/

http://metalmark.blogspot.com/2012/02/all-else-fails-oracle-what-was-is-and.html

Sodom-Epitome Of Torture

Steamhammer / SPV
2013

In a time long ago, back when dinosaurs still walked the earth & cassettes were still in vogue, I discovered the "Big Three" of Teutonic thrash metal-Kreator, Destruction and (of course) Sodom. "Agent Orange" was my first exposure to Tom Angelripper (vocals/bass) and company and since that point I've tried to follow the band as best I can (although I only have a few of their albums to my name for whatever reason). "Epitome of Torture" makes album number 14 for the band and, from the way this one shreds everything in sight, Sodom does not seem likely to call it quits anytime soon! Now, I should specify that as much as I love Sodom's brand of thrash, which is every bit as distinctive as bands like Slayer, Megadeth, etc., and I love good death metal (who doesn't?) it kind of sucked (to me) when the band would combine the two. Why? I don't rightly know. I remember hearing their one death/thrash album "Tapping the Vein" and, even though it was well-received by fans and critics, it just wasn't interesting to me. That's probably neither here or there though. I guess I'm just trying to point out that what I like best out of Sodom is when they play their own brand of killer thrash. Since this album is (top to bottom) totally crushing metal it's all good. Joined by guitarist Bernemann and new drummer Markus “Makka” Freiwald, both of whom are insanely good on this disc, Tom Angelripper unleashes hell with cuts like "My Final Bullet", "Invocating the Demons" and "S.O.D.O.M.". The only time the band flirts with death metal at all is on "Stigmatized" which, I'd wager to say, is the album's heaviest moment. Even then it's not full on death, but rather just the band being as heavy as they can. Meanwhile other tracks like "Cannibal",  "Katjuscha" and "Tracing the Victim" show off just how talented guitarist Bernemann is. Picking a favorite moment on this disc would be hard as there really isn't a off moment. Whether it's the Motörhead and Tank inspired "Into the Skies of War" or the modernized  "Cannibal" (serious crunch time!) it's hard not to find something to like about these ten new tracks. Sodom fans should love this new album for sure.
 

Minus One World-Sewage

Self-Release/Independent
2013

This just might be the first band I've ever heard of to hail from Salo, Finland. It's not that Finland doesn't have a thriving metal scene. After all this is the same country that has brought us everyone from Hanoi Rocks and OZ to Children Of Bodom. But Salo, Finland? Not so much. But, as it does has a sizable population of 55,000 plus, a more then hardy number, by default someone must be listening to heavy metal there right? That's where Minus One World comes into play. Of course this underground band, that was formed in early 2008 by Juuso Ketokoski (bass), Jasu Jokinen (vocals), Ville Hietala (drums) and Antti Hirvonen (guitar), is not by definition "heavy metal". No, Minus One World offers up raw thrash/death metal on this 4-track EP. "Sewage" follows two other self-recordings in the form of "Demo I" (2008) and "Demo II" (2010). What they clearly lacked in the imagination department (in regards to early demo titles) they more then make up for on "Sewage". Recorded in a home studio in 2012, and with a run-time of 14:55, "Sewage" was mixed by Juuso Rautio at Big Show Entertainment (www.bigshow.fi) and features the talents of new lead guitarist Aleksi Tossavainen.Of course even with two guitarists in the fold the band has not abandoned the true spirit of the founder's vision. Minus One World still adhere to the brutal nature of their roots. Even for a band playing a hybrid of death/thrash "Sewage" falls squarely on the raw side of things. From that description you might expect that Minus One World play in a haphazard and sloppy manor more befitting the punk rock culture. Rather then that the material in question possess this mid-eighties underground metal appeal. The gravely vocals of Jasu Jokinen recall a style that was lost somewhere in the early 90's. When the band comes into focus on "Sewage" it's the glory days of tape-trading that comes to mind. Minus One World are like a thousand young bands in the eighties who made a demo with heart and passion on their side. Those bands played for a purpose, a belief, not for a corporate contract and the promise of limousines and a rock-star lifestyle. Minus One World may well find themselves on the outs with today's "modern metal" crowd, but for those of us who remember when metal's attitude wasn't for sale "Sewage" is a testament that "modern" doesn't always mean "better".

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http://www.minusoneworld.com/

Mors Principium Est.-...and Death said live

AFM Records
2013

It was back in 2007 when Finland's Mors Principium Est. (that's a mouthful!) released their last album "Liberation = Termination". Since then the band, who formed in 1999 and whose name (according to the Metal Archives) is Latin for "Death is the beginning" or "the basis" or "the ruler" (take your pick), managed to pick up a new pair of guitarists in Andy Gillion (Shadow Law) and Andhe Chandler (ex-In Dread Response, ex- The Mark Of Man) and (seemingly) a renewed appreciation for their craft. While that craft fell along the lines of At The Gates, In Flames, Dark Tranquillity and Children Of Bodom (all of them influences on the band's early sound) it's fair to say that since forming, and despite the numerous line-up changes, the band has forged it's own identity. The new album, which is ten tracks plus the intro number "The Awakening", finds the band, who is filled out by Ville Viljanen (vocals), Mikko Sipola (bass) and Teemu Heinola (drums), laying down some simply sinister metal. With each new release this Finnish band has been making huge strides in an attempt to stand out from the crowd. This new album achieves that goal with equal amounts of technical skill (there are some great time changes) and utter brutality. With production taking place at Swedish Panic Room Studios (Solution .45, Scar Symmetry and many more), and the album featuring guest appearances from Jona Weinhofen (Bring Me The Horizon) and Ryan Knight (The Black Dahlia Murder), "And Death Said Live" is a release that should please fans of old while also serving as an enticement to new listeners.

Sicadis-Blood of a Thousand Hearts

Self-Release
2012

Up front the selling point for this album was that track number 8 , "Through These Eyes",  featured guest vocals from Ivan Moody of Five Finger Death Punch. Oh boy. Nope, not exactly a fan of that particular "mall metal" band so I was dearly hoping that tracks 1-7 didn't fall into that same sort of "style". The good news of the day folks is that, even though this is Thanksgiving Day, this self-released debut-album is no turkey. Lame jokes aside, Kansas City's Sicadis (Si-Kay-Diss) play what folks like to call "modern metal" these days. You know the drill: some thrash, death metal and metalcore. Only difference is that it isn't really "metalcore" (more like hardcore-leaning metal moments) and, unlike let's say the bulk of "modern metal" bands, these guys don't suck royally! Having shared the stages with some rather well-established acts such as Testament, Unearth, A Life Once Lost, The Agony Scene, Suicide Silence, Exodus, Despised Icon, Napalm Death, Strapping Young Lad and, yes, Five Finger Death Punch it certainly sounds as if these guys are a direct product of their surroundings. That being said this is one of those cases where you can't really pin-point a reference (band-wise) as they lay down some unique riffs. Of course that is a good thing and chances are we'll be seeing some label scoop these guys up in the near future.Oh, for the record, track number 8 did little to change my mind about Five Finger Death Punch as vocalist Brett Carter is much better then Ivan Moody to these ears. You can find out more about the band at their Facebook page below.





www.facebook.com/sicadis