Rotör-Musta käsi

Svart Records
2016

"Look at that cover" the e-mail from Metal Mark read. Having already received the word about Finland's Rotör earlier that day I knew what my friend (and Heavy Metal Time Machine founder) was excited about. The wicked cool artwork for "Musta käsi" was most certainly a thing of beauty. No doubt inspired by early-mid eighties heavy metal artwork (as well as a few ones from the N.W.O.B.H.M scene I  suspect!), Rotör's fabulous choice of artwork for their full-length debut just about screamed "Turn me on and crank up the volume!". Giving in to that temptation (or if you will that odd voice or two in my head that really wanted to rock out!) I hit play on album opener "Avattu hauta". With a vintage metal sound that seemed as if it was pulled straight out of the past (!) this three minute plus tune hinted at good things to come. Did I say good things? I must have meant great things as sure enough this album SLAYS THE DRAGON kids! Sung in the band's native tongue, "Musta käsis" is a (true blue/raw & real) rustic metal album that throws caution to the wind in favor of a D.I.Y. approach. It's a recording that pays tribute to the (sadly long-gone) tape trading days of metal with not just it's music, but the way in which it was produced. With nine tracks in all, "Musta käsis" is what you get when you mix early-mid eighties heavy metal, (early) eighties punk rock, Motörhead, and late seventies to early eighties N.W.O.B.H.M* all together and then finish it off with  the timeless appeal that is riff-driven garage metal. Yes, it is every bit as good as that sounds (and then some!) and it's all courtesy of an anonymous five-piece band that may include bits of Speedtrap, Hard Action, Vino Siitin, Tremor, Arkhamin Kirjasto, Seremonia or Steel Mammoth.With all of that said and done I'd just like to add one final thought to the equation. And that is I really hope this doesn't end up being a one and done moment! 






*More to the point we are talking about Iron Maiden's first two (punk-infused) studio albums, Demon Pact, and the self-titled debut of Angel Witch. 

Madkill-Mass Destruction

Self-Release/Independent
2016

Madkill is a Brazilian thrash metal band that was initially formed in mid-2010 by guitarist and vocalist Natanael "Natan" Alves. The 5-track "Mass Destruction" is this band's only studio release to date and from what I'm been able to gather it was recorded in studio K9 with a line-up of Natan Alves (guitar/vox), Felipe Gabriel (bass) and Jhonatan Rozante (drums). As of 2016 Madkill's current drummer is Clayton Moreira and he joins Natan Alves (guitar/vox) and Felipe Gabriel (bass) in the pursuit of greatness....or at very least potential new gigs! Whatever the case might be, "Mass Destruction" (which was initially put out in 2014 and is making the rounds once more!) is a whole lot more than it initially appears to be thus making it a "interesting" release from this São Paulo-based that is said to be influenced by the eighties metal scene. The EP opens "innocently" enough with "Run to the War" which is a (rough & raw) slab of primitive thrash metal. The next cut, "Freedom and Peace", follows a similar path (even if it does feature some short but tasty speed metal licks about half way in!) and from the way in which it makes it's initial entrance so does this EP's third track,"Guardian of the Sanctity". The thing is once I pulled back the curtain on "Guardian of the Sanctity" I discovered the naked truth of Madkill's music. On it's surface "Mass Destruction" might just look and sound like a typical thrash metal recording, but just like a perfectly-constructed house it's the foundation that really matters. For Madkill that foundation is garage rock/heavy metal. And it's a solid foundation. Add to that the occasional sing-speak nature of guitarist Natan Alves and you've got a thrash metal EP with a garage rock/metal base and a pleasant punk rock aftertaste! While it seems a stretch to think that a Madkill full-length album will suddenly appear anytime soon at least there is this 20 plus minute EP to keep us rockin' and rolling!      

Ben Blutzukker-Analog Blood

Ben Blutzukker  

2016

 

 

Up front I'm going to admit that there isn't a whole to go on when it comes to "Analog Blood" and/or Ben Blutzukker. Apparently Ben Blutzukker is known for his long-running Dark Electro project, Blutzukker, and this is his first foray into the world of heavy metal. There's that and then some random comment about how he heard the call of the analog instruments. OK. Tracks include "Walpurgisnacht", "From Hell", "Digital Blood", and "Red" and as to the question of who plays what on "Analog Blood", well, your guess is as good as mine! It would appear as if Ben Blutzukker not only fronts this project, but that he also handles all of the instruments. As for what you can expect (sound-wise) in regards to "Analog Blood"? Well, that would be dark and unholy heavy metal that falls somewhere between raw metal and garage metal. For what it is, "Analog Blood" isn't half bad. Then again, "Analog Blood" isn't all that great either. It simply sits in that grey area where one could take it or leave it. I realize that's not exactly a glowing endorsement of Ben Blutzukker's solo EP, but seeing as it doesn't really do anything to set itself apart from the crowd that's my final judgement call. You can hear the EP for yourself by heading here. 

Bad Guys-Bad Guynaecology

Riot Season Records
2015

It's sounds like a bad joke, but here goes. What do you get when you lock two Englishmen, a Canadian and a Hungarian together in a filthy rehearsal room, force feed them shit food and even shittier booze and then tell them there is no way in hell that they are getting out of this London Dungeon until they have provided you with the perfect soundtrack to that hole in the wall (read: DUMP) joint down the street? If you answered Bad Guys then be sure to go and pick out one treat from the prize box. But if your answer was "Bad Guynaecology" then be sure to grab an extra treat for yourself as that is the exact name of dive-bar inspired masterpiece! Wait, you don't know which dive bar I'm talking about? Oh, sorry about that. It's the one where they like to host underground boxing and wresting matches and the air always seems to smell of cheap cigarettes, stale beer, greasy fried "food", pot and sweat. Well, it's mostly (stink palm) sweat but you get the general idea. It's also the dump where bar fights are a everyday occurrence and the chicken wire that encases the front stage is as much for the audiences' protection as it is for the bands! Do you recognize the place now? Yeah? Well, I'd wager a crumpled up twenty that Bad Guys would not only recognize such a place but that they would fit right in! And that's all thanks to the red hot way in which these four rock the living hellights out of "Bad Guynaecology"! Working with producer Jaime Gomez Arellano (Ghost, Cathedral, Angel Witch) proved to be a blessing for Bad Guys as they have cranked out a finger lickin' and ass kickin' sophomore release that is by God all kinds of  loud and proud! When it comes to Bad Guys we're talking about a band whose beer-soaked take on heavy rock/heavy metal is nothing short of amazing and that's all thanks to the fact that these guys have a balls-deep kind of love & appreciation for the likes of Sleep, Deep Purple, Electric Wizard, Motörhead, Harvey Milk, Black Flag, MC5, ZZ Top, Killdozer and Black Sabbath. The music of Bad Guys is all of that glorious goodness smashed and bashed together with a case of Natural Light and a box of cardboard pizza and damn if this doesn't just remind me of the underground punk, rock and metal scene of my youth then I must just be off my golden oldie meds again! This one's fine as wine kiddos....it's just so fine....

Uncle Sam-Heaven or Hollywood (Re-Release)

Minotauro Records
2014

Well folks now we're talking. Talk about a golden oldie! Leave it to our friends at Minotauro Records to dust off this classic LP and give it a proper re-release. It's been a long time coming if you ask me! Now, I'm sorry to disappoint folks, but I'm going to try to keep things PG 13 here with the cover. If you are older like I am and are in any way, shape or form a collector of all things hard rock and heavy metal then I am going to guess that you've heard of this band before. Or you are at least familiar with the cover artwork of this 1987 LP. This is one of the less risky versions although the bikini cover one is probably the safest bet. Otherwise I am sure that you can guess what's under that sticker! Yes, it's pretty scandalous all around. The thing is what of the actual music? By the name and album title you'd likely be guessing that this one is sleaze and or glam metal. Am I right? I know that was my guess way back in the day when I first came across an MP3 of "Heaven or Hollywood". And yet this one is all about rock. Underground/garage rock if you will with the result being one album that is closer to the New York Dolls or solo Johnny Thunders than it is the likes of  Poison, Ratt or Mötley Crüe. And man alive if it isn't just one of the most beautiful things out there! To be fair there is more then enough raw metal and punk on an album like this one to have universal appeal. There are shades of Motörhead, Kiss and even (early) Mötley Crüe. But in it's heart of hearts this band was all about rock. Imagine heading to a seedy bar in the worst part of town and hearing a band that pulled from the better parts of not only the New York Dolls and solo Johnny Thunders, but Iggy& the Stooges, Alice Cooper ( a HUGE influence on this four-piece!), the Cramps,  the Ramones and even the Godz. Imagine finding out over the course of the evening that this band knew as much about the Sex Pistols and the Dead Boys as they did AC/DC and Aerosmith. And to top it all off the blended all of that knowledge and all of these different influences into a glorious rock and roll racket! That is what we are talking about with Uncle Sam and their album "Heaven or Hollywood". As vocalist Scott Cesna took to the mic like a disillusioned rocker of old his bandmates trashed the joint with the kind of finesse usually reserved for the likes of the Stooges, MC5 or the Dead Boys. Theirs' was a take no prisoners, love 'em and leave 'em take on over the top garage rock and roll and Uncle Sam had to have known that they were living for the moment with the D.I.Y. "Heaven or Hollywood" a means to an end. As good as they are on this record they were reported every bit as good live and whether they were tearing the walls down with their own material or covering the likes of "Steppin' Stone" or "Train Kept A' Rollin" (both choice covers tacked on here as bonus numbers with Uncle Sam's take on "Train..." coming across like a cross between The Godz version and Motörheads!) Uncle Sam was always spot on! And thanks to this very cool (enhanced) re-release here you can relive all of that conflict and glory, the good times and bad times if you will, in the comfort of your own home! Served up as a mini-LP with gatefold Japanese style papersleeve packaging, custom OBI and a sweet poster this re-release offers a great look at this Rochester, New York-based band that was just too cool for the times. Having sadly released only one more album (1990's "Letters From London") the band Uncle Sam came and went before they could be fully appreciated for what they had to offer. That's a shame as Uncle Sam's take on sleazy garage rock was sweet on the taste buds and ahead of the times.


http://www.minotaurorecords.com/

The Fury-Sex (2013 Re-Issue)

Minotauro Records
2013

Well now what do we have here? If this LP isn't the surprise re-release of the year (that honor would have to go to Mox Nix!) then it sure as hell must be up towards the top of the list! For Italy's Minotauro Records it sure does seems as if 2013 has been a banner year for the record label as far as re-releases go. And now comes the news that Island Park, New York's The Fury (featuring the one and only S.A. Adams!) will be getting the same kind of  royal treatment that Mox Nix did! It's a well-deserved moment for The Fury as these guys, who were grossly underrated, deserve not only another listen, but such star-studded treatment. Why? Well, we'll get to that point in a moment. First though one last note in regards to The Fury's new home. It's been a case of so far, so good (or at least in regards to 2013) for Minotauro Records and while I only received the music for "Sex" (meaning I haven't seen the finished product for myself) chances are pretty good that whole package will make for a must-own for heavy metal fans. This is one label that does good work and really knows what fans and collectors are looking for. So kudos to them for this signing. Alright, on to New York's own The Fury and why this is one band that deserves to be more then a mere footnote in the annals of metal. Now, I've covered S.A. Adams (who handles both lead vocals and guitars here) before with the 2010 issue of "Unearthed". The link to that review is provided at the bottom of this article. I bring that review up as there are obvious correlations between the recordings that make up "Unearthed" and the music of The Fury. While I'll leave it up to you the reader as to whether or not to read the whole back-story behind "Unearthed" (and how this band was the next step for S.A. Adams before he would go on to embark on a rather successful solo career) there is one connecting point that sticks out. While S.A. Adams had been playing in a Judas Priest/Iron Maiden kind of band (prior to the "Unearthed" recordings) everything would change for him after he went out and witnessed a Motörhead/Wendy O. Williams/S.O.D concert. From that point on he set his mind of forming a new band that was part punk and part metal. The "Unearthed" recordings drew from punk bands like GBH & The Stooges as well as the more "metal" groups of the day such as Motörhead, Exciter, Raven and so. In much the same way The Fury, which first came together in 1987, was a band that drew from both punk (Sex Pistols, GBH, Dead Boys) and metal (Motörhead,Raven and, as pointed out by my contact from Minotauro Records, Gotham City!). And, even if the above art-work for this re-release doesn't suggest that such a band lies in waiting (although it has to be said that it is MUCH better then the original cover which featured what looks like a blow-up sheep sex toy!), the picture of the group right below does paint such a picture I'd argue!

As I'm not exactly sure who played what besides vocalist/guitarist S.A. Adams (the Metal Archives lists both "past" and "last known line-up" band members) I can at least give a run down on the group's whole catalog. After releasing four demos between 1989 and 1990, which might be some kind of record!, the group released the 4-track, 7'' EP "A Dozen Thorns" in 1990 on Network International. Limited to just 400 Copies, and reportedly (per the Metal Archives again) a "poster/pack", it set the stage for The Fury's 1992 (self-released) full-length album "Sex". The only other release was the supposed 1990 VHS, "Reflections of the Unwasted Time" (which reported documented the early years of The Fury). This re-release features bonus material including a copy of live cuts that (I would assume) were pulled from The Fury's live, 1990 cassette tape. While the group was often tagged as just "power metal" the true story is represented not only on the studio cuts, but in the live versions. Here we see a "real" heavy metal band that was very much in vogue with the underground crossover movement. The only difference being that while most crossover acts of the day played over-the-top, lightning-fast thrash, with which there is nothing wrong with, this 3-piece band drew from the more Motörhead side of things. Well, there's that point and then there is the fact that The Fury most definitely had that (then familiar) New York vibe to them! Imagine Neil Turbin era Anthrax (before they went from denim and leather heavy metal to a more stream-lined thrash style) or maybe even a raw, (much more metal then punk) garage rock version of  Manitoba's Wild Kingdom. Along with maybe even The Rods and (early) Twisted Sister those were just some of the New York group's that carried that city's (then) unmistakable vibe. And The Fury, God bless em', were right there in the middle as well just doing there thing as evident by "Sex". During their (far-too) short time together The Fury would go on to support not only bands like Metal Church, Overkill, Blitzspeer and Non-Fiction, but most impressive of all, Manowar! Not too bad for a little band from Island Park, New York right? Sadly "Sex" would be the only full-length album released by The Fury as a proposed follow-up failed to make it from concept to reality. Of course these day S.A.Adams is a more well-known name then back in the day thanks to his successful run as a solo-artist, but that doesn't take away the need for a re-issue like this one. If the idea of a New York band that drew from acts as diverse as Raven and the Sex Pistols scares you (if you are a heavy metal purist through and through) then just look at "Sex" as if it were like Motörhead going through an 80's metal time-warp! The Fury were a cool band back then and, as this inspired collection affirms, they still are. Be sure to keep your eyes out for The Fury's expanded re-issue of "Sex" and if you'd like to see what S.A. Adams is up to these days then be sure to check out his website right below.


http://www.saadams.com/ 

Review of S.A. Adam's "Unearthed"
http://metalmark.blogspot.com/search?q=S.A.+Adams 

Badmotorfinger-It's Not The End

Logic(il)Logic Records
2013

Italy's Badmotorfinger, who of course took their name from Soundgarden's third studio album, first started out in 2006. Early on the band played covers, but soon enough they would be found penning their own material. As with most bands there was a few bumps along the way with members coming in and members going out before eventually landing a solid line-up that included ex-Tarchon Fist guitarist Federico "HeavyRico" Mengoli. After fine-tuning their originally material the band found their way into the studio to record "It's Not The End". Indeed it isn't for this Italian band as it most certainly looks as if this album is just the starting point for Badmotorfinger to build off of. Or is that launch off of? The thing is, as far as debut recordings go, this one is a real cracker jack!  Lead vocalist Il Reverendo (Stefano Altobelli) does a pretty solid Lemmy impression on the mic which is rather fitting since A) It's obvious that Motörhead is one of Badmotorfinger's influences (whether they cop to it or not) and B) The group even covers the Motörhead track "Rock 'n' Roll" on their debut-album! Besides Motörhead, which is always a good starting point for bands to start rocking out to anyway, (influence-wise) there's some Kiss to their sound as well as early  Mötley Crüe (the more punk and less glam one) and "Slave to the Grind" era Skid Row. Squeeze all of those components into the mold of a modern hard rock/modern heavy metal band, coat it with fistfuls of rage and then scorch it with the burning flame of rock and roll and you will end up with Badmotorfinger! With 12 full-length tracks, as well as a 53 second introduction, "It's Not the End" is just one of those albums where you can't help but to get caught up in it's homegrown sense of familiarity. And since vocalist Il Reverendo has just the right amount of roughness going for him anyway this album feels natural and honest making it hit home all the more. This Italian 5-piece, which is rounded out by guitarist Alessandro Mengoli (Alex), bassist Massimiliano Tommesani (Tommy) and drummer Fabio Bussolari (Barra), really is on to something here given the fact that "It's Not The End" features track after track of catchy hard and heavy rock and roll that instantly sticks in your head! Usually at this point in the game (career-wise) bands are not hitting it out of the ballpark with their own material so it's surprising how well tracks like "Ride The Storm", "Loser", "No Second Chances" and "Afterlife" come across. They almost feel like familiar hard rock classics as there so well-written and executed. To make this kind of hard-livin' rock work you've got to believe in what you're doing and it's obvious that Badmotorfinger does just that. The energy behind this group is most definitely noticeable and when you hear Il Reverendo tackle a cut like "Nightmares" (like his life depends on it no less!) you'll get pulled deep in whether you like it or not! Although chances are good you won't mind getting wrapped-up with the hard rock this group pumps out. Heck, the way these guys roll you'd almost swear that here was a veteran band knee-deep in their careers and not some new upstart. Obviously I liked this album A LOT and I definitely see it hitting home with those who like their hard rock kind of dirty and mean.

Jesus Chrüsler Supercar-Among The Ruins And Desolate Lands

vönHell Records | Sound Pollution
2013

Can't get enough death n' roll? Well then how about trying Jesus Chrüsler Supercar on for size? Sure, the name might be a little too close for comfort for some of us "older" folks as it does bring up thoughts of old punk rock veterans Jesus Chrysler ("This Year's Savior" being a full-blown classic of old-school punk/hardcore), but when you're rocking outfit blends the sounds of Entombed and Motörhead so effectively you're bound to get a pass. What's more the group was somehow able to rope in Entombed frontman LG Petrov as a guest vocalist for the songs "Before I Turn You Down" and "Death Row Blues". Yes, you get extra points for that any day of the week my friends! Right off the bat it's worth noting that this 3-piece hails from Sweden. Why does that matter? Well, it changes the discussion some as Sweden seems to have the market concerned these days on all things hip and rock n' roll. It's something in the water I swear. With this act it's not just the blending of Entombed and Motörhead that keeps this one "Living after midnight, rockin' 'til the dawn..." (although that would be more then enough one would assume) as other groups do stop by to play. Here and there touches of Black Sabbath, Slayer, Gwar and The Hellacopters can be picked out if you really listen between the lines. Blended together it all makes for some lovely metal chaos from a band that (in a good way) takes garage metal to a whole different level. The group is lead by bassist/vocalist Robban Bergeskans and features Fredde Larsson on guitars & vocals and Nicke Forsberg on drums. While their originality isn't likely to keep you awake at night, as death n' roll is already at a point where there's too many so-so bands muddying the water (and this release does not come across as an entirely ground-breaking album anyway), there's little chance of denying the appeal that this group holds. Thanks to their enthusiasm, care-free attitude and songs that require zero effort to get down and rock out to (yes, this album flat out rocks in places!) it's easy to overlook how much of this you've heard before. The truth is sometimes style and substance (and the ability to write damn catchy death n' roll) is more important then whether or not you've suddenly stumbled upon a new aspect of heavy metal. So yeah, the fun mix-up of styles and sounds that you're likely to hear on here "Among The Ruins And Desolate Lands", as well as the fact that you could conceivably do some thrash metal dancing to this album,  trumps everything else. With it's subtle, and yet somehow very effective production, (all of which came courtesy of  Tomas Skogsberg who, for what it's worth,  is said to have influenced the sound of groups like Entombed, The Hellacopters and The Backyard Babies), "Among The Ruins And Desolate Lands" ends up being  one of those albums that you can sit back and enjoy without having to invest much energy or effect. Be warned though that it is going to make you want to get up and move (or slam dance if you will) so while it might not require an investment on your part to listen to this album it could end up getting you more worked up then you ever planned to be! 

Septekh-Apollonian Eyes EP

Abyss Records
2013

What should one reasonably expect while looking over this EP? I wouldn't blame you if you didn't know as I didn't know and, as such & everything being equal (and blah, blah) I sat on this 4-track release until it started to get ripe and smell! It might have been laziness or the worry that it would be dreadful. Man, I don't know. You'd think the tag, "dirty trashy death metal" might have appealed to me or even the talking points of "influenced by Motörhead & Black Sabbath", but nope, I skipped this one and just now got my crap in order to listen to and review this EP. And? Well, offhand you could call it a punk rawk Motörhead with more of a deathly vocalist. Said vocalist, Nils Grznls Mesekeother, leads this 4-piece band (Guitarist David Wikström, Bassist Patrik Ström and Drummer Staffan Persson round things out) through 15 minutes of the death n' roll, trash metal that's neither great nor ghastly.  If anything this third EP from Sweden's Septekh just goes to show that garage metal can be found anywhere around the world.