Anialator-Rise to Supremacy

Xtreem Music
2018

There is some  background explanation that I obviously have to toss out here first. No, I did not misspell the band name because this is not the long running Canadian thrash band Annihilator, but rather a return of the Corpus Christi based Anialator. This band knocked out a few EPs and demos back in the 80's before some of the members went on to form Sufferance. Anialator reformed in recent years, re-released their old material and now have a brand spanking new EP set to go out in the new year. Okay, let's get at this sucker and see where they are at now. Much like their old material this is very raw which contains both positives and negatives. This is old style thrash with some early death metal vocals leading the soar throated way. I admire the energy, but the first two tracks suffer from low production and quite honestly the style on both is so similar that the two blend together much more than they should. Track three "Rise again" has much personality with  a twisted riff, some pounding drums and good enough variation to the vocals to make it fairly memorable. Track four 'Thick skinned" slows down some, but heaviness level keeps the intensity going. The closer "Black" races ahead with more of a death metal sound than any of the previous tracks. Unfortunately it lacks the tempo changes of the previous two songs. What we have is an uneven but mostly comeback album. Fans of old style thrash might like it, but there's definitely some work to be done.

S.A. Adams-A Murder of Crows

Self-Release/Independent
2016


It's been a long time in the making, but the recently-released "A Murder of Crows" is a brand new solo offering from New York City's own S.A. Adams. The full-length album, which was recorded in S.A. Adams' home territory and is only available in digital format*, comes along some 12 years after Adams' last solo recording, "Mutated". Of course in-between 2004's "Mutated" and S.A. Adams' latest release there was 2010's "Unearthed" and the 2016 digital EP, "Sins of Your Flesh", but as far as brand new  full-length albums of the fist banging metal variety are concerned this particular recording is the real deal. Having first started his solo career way back in 1992 after leaving  The Fury , S.A. Adams has managed to roll out some of the best (if sadly underrated) power metal/thrash albums out there. In that same time-frame (and really it's thanks in no small part to his absolutely praise-worthy ability to construct solid material and then (often times) handle all of the vocals and instruments himself!) he has also impressed plenty of critics and built himself up a small (if not completely loyal!) following. All it takes is one listen to S.A. Adams' all-powerful "A Murder of Crows" to understand why both his fans and the critics continue to heap praise and admiration onto this New York native! Not only has "A Murder of Crows" been well worth the long wait (and then some!) it is one of Adams' finest moments! For a top-notch metal musician like S.A. Adams' that's saying quite a bit. Especially as we talking about one hell of an exceptional musician that has made a career out of having one solid gold moment after another! Speaking of solid gold moments, the terrific number "The Rising" opens things up on the must-have "A Murder of Crows" and for fans of head shaking & body slamming heavy metal it is nothing short of a strike it rich moment! Of course the exact same thing can be said about this power-packed album as a whole, but in all honestly listeners can find that much out for themselves should they decide to pick up this release that is being touted as one the heaviest albums of S.A. Adams' career!! I for one am not going to argue with that assessment. Granted I might mention how this album oddly enough comes across as one of the most sincere and enduring releases from S.A. Adams to date, but there again listeners can make up their own minds as far as that statement is concerned. Available for purchase over at at Amazon and CD Baby, "A Murder of Crows" is real heavy metal** from S.A. Adams and some very special guest musicians. Unfortunately this digital album did not come with any kind of line-up information so I am afraid I can not name any of those guest musicians other than Raven's John Gallagher. He shows up to play on the second to last track ("Samurai") and just like every cut on this new recording it is stone cold sick! I only wish that I could name every other guest on this digital delight, but at least it's something to think about (as is the fact that S.A. Adams actually has guest musicians to begin with on one of his solo releases!). Needless to say, "A Murder of Crows" comes highly-recommend....




*Or at least it is as of this writing


**As with other recordings from S.A. Adams there is nothing fancy or pretentious about this release. At the end of the day S.A. plays honest to goodness heavy metal that picks apart everything from seventies punk to nineties thrash and then super glues the whole thing back together with some ass kicking hard rock that would have made Lemmy proud! In other words, "A Murder of Crows" shreds! 

Free Metal Monday: White Hornet-White Hornet

Self-Release/Independent

2015

White Hornet is a traditional heavy metal/thrash group that hails from Baltimore, Maryland and has been active since 2010. Originally conceived of as a one-man project by multi-instrumentalist Matt St. Ours, White Hornet has grown into a full-fledged band and a damn-fine one at that if we are to go by their latest release here! These guys seeming worship the N.W.O.B.H.M. scene as well as old-school metal and thrash and it really makes for a nice vintage-vibe of this self-titled EP! Sadly the vinyl versions of "White Hornet" are long sold-out, but at least you can snag a digital copy of it for free by clicking here!

Rigor Mortis - Welcome to your funeral: Part 1-beginning to 1987

2016
12 Pound productions
MVD

In 1988 I remembered all these ads popping up with long haired skull logo with weapons behind it for some band called Rigor Mortis. Being that it was 1988 thrash was in style and bands playing that style coming out  of everywhere. Major labels were stepping forward, signing acts and hoping to land the next Megadeth or Slayer. I bought that debut from Rigor Mortis based on the cover, the horror themed titles and the fact that I knew it was thrash. It was good and I played it fairly often back then, but I never knew a whole about them other than they were from Texas and the style of music they played. This DVD tells much of their early back story. Eventually members of this band would go on to play in the Ministry, Gwar, Warbeast and other acts. This is the story of how these young musicians came to form this band. Through interviews with the band members, friends, members of other bands and other various people involved with them in their early years we are told the story of how Rigor Mortis came to be. Every band has a story of how they came about but this one is interesting for several reasons. Coming together as a unit was neither a quick or easy process for Rigor Mortis as it took several years and various members came in from different bands in the DFW (Dallas/ Ft. Worth metal scene). Plus although the band knew the kind of metal they wanted to play it did take them some time to get all the people in place that allowed them to do this. There are some early clips mixed in showing the band progressing as well in between the interviews. One of my favorite stories was when the band saw a flier for Megadeth coming to their area in 1986.  They didn't recognize the opening band and thought  that Rigor Mortis should be on this show, so band members went to talk to the owner of the club about this. I won't finish the story because you really need to see the DVD and hear the band tell it. Some times this type of documentary paints the band in a light they want it to. In this case the band members are very honest and that's part of the charm of it. It was bittersweet seeing hearing guitarist Mike Scaccia in interviews as he passed away unexpectedly a few years ago. Phil Anselmo of Pantera fame narrates the documentary. Rigor Mortis/Warbeast singer
Bruce Corbitt produced the film. The film goes up to the band being signed. Since the title says parts one I am assuming a part two is being planned and will cover the album releases. I thought the quality was solid and focused as it came me interested throughout. After finishing the film I did wish there had been more whole songs/live clips. Then I saw under special features there is over half an hour of live footage and rehearsal clips that you watch after the movie gets you psyched to hear more of the band's early material. Fans of the band and old style thrash will definitely want to check this one out.

Killing Tyranny-Martyr

Twisted Prophet
2015

Based in San Diego, Killing Tyranny is a up-and-coming traditional heavy metal/power metal band that was formed in 2014 by singer/songwriter George Gregory (ex-Outraged, ex-Ironworks). Every bit as as honest and sincere as the man who formed it, Killing Tyranny is also a socially-conscious band whose style and substance is merely reinforced by the strong lyrical-content of their original material. Inspired by the heavy metal's heyday, Killing Tyranny's appealing sound not only combines classic metal (Armored Saint, Halloween, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Metal Church, etc.) and power metal/thrash (Annihilator, Defiance, Helloween, Lääz Rockit, Metallica, Toxik, etc.), but elements like progressive metal (Fates Warning, Dream Theater) and extreme metal (Pantera)! "Martyr" is Killing Tyranny's absolutely stellar full-length debut and this underground classic in the making has become a real labor of love for band-founder George Gregory. So much so in fact that the singer (and possible long-lost step-cousin of James Hetfield!) actually produced & arranged "Martyr" himself! That key piece of information becomes all the more impressive once you've heard "Martyr" for yourself. Especially given how good this 52 minutes album sounds! Recordings took place at Capricorn Studios in the band's hometown of San Diego and this 13-track CD was just released this past May. It was preceded by the single "God Bless the Child" (see video below) and in addition to that wicked cool track, the band's thrash rock signature song and album's dark & twisted speed metal title track (Black-era Metallica meets early Anthrax anyone?), "Martyr" packs 'em in tight with one sick cut following the next and so on and so on! And it keeps them coming until the aptly-titled "Weight Of The World" finishes you off with one swift blow! In essence the album closes in much the same way it opened. And this one opens by way of the fantastically heavy power metal number "Who I Am"! It's nothing short of righteous and if this hard-hitting crunch fest wasn't enough to get the blood pumping then there's always "Caged"! There's something sinister about the bottom-heavy bass of Kristopher Towne Hams on this cut, but man alive he gets the job done and it's done right! The same thing applies to Chase Ehle and his fanatical style of drumming. Not just on "The Cage", but throughout the album's 13 powerful cuts! He ends up keeping things on high alert and you simply couldn't ask for a better rhythm section than the pair of Ehle and Hams! And the guitars on "Martyr"? Sensational about cuts it! Daniel Waldrop's magically fingers help ensure that the guitars on "Martyr" thrash as hard as they do while still falling well within the comfort zone of technical metal! Whether you're talking about "The Plague", "Sleeper Cell" or "The One" it's all the same. Daniel plays with a consistent level of greatness and his whiplash style all but guarantee the listener a good time as well as a sore neck! All of which brings us to lead singer/band-founder George Gregory. As good as his band-mates are (and they are good!) George is equally skilled as a front-man. I love his work of "The One" as it's every bit as forceful as it is precise. The same can be said of  "The Plague". Here we have a number that takes Anthrax, Exodus and Testament and combines it with the heaviest piece of Metallica available. And yet there he is front and center and with a voice that makes it perfectly clear whose in charge! And these are just a few examples of what's in store when it comes to Killing Tyranny's debut album! I could spend all day breaking down the greatest of this album from it's start to finish! I could, but it's Monday so I'll spare you my further ramblings and suggest that you go and grab a CD copy of  this album for yourself! All told "Martyr" a fun listen as well as a highly-recommend pick up and it's one album that I simply cannot get enough of! 

 

N.W.O.B.H.M. Wednesday: Venom-From the Very Depths

Spinefarm Records U.K.
2015

If you do a quick subject search on the term "Venom" on our site you are likely to see that that particular word appears in plenty of our reviews. As far as being an influence on other bands (from punk metal groups to the extreme metal variety) there are few acts like Venom. Save for maybe Motörhead (a band which, along with outfits such as Black Sabbath and Judas Priest, actually influenced Venom) there are not too many bands that can claim to have such far-reaching influences and overall impact on really HEAVY metal. That being the case and all (and seeing as both Metal Mark and I really enjoy Venom's early albums) you would be forgiven for assuming that HMTM has covered Venom time and time again. After looking through our archives though in anticipation of this review it seems as if we haven't really talked about the band since our first N.W.O.B.H.M. Wednesday coverage of them and that was actually back in mid-March of 2011! For the curious I've provided the link to that article at the bottom of this review, but I still admit to being somewhat puzzled by that realization. Whatever the case, Cronos (Venom's main-man and the group's lead singer/bass player) returns with studio album number fourteen(!), "From the Very Depths". The group's first full-length release since 2011's "Fallen Angels", "From the Very Depths" features 14 tracks and has a total run-time of 51:51. Now, two further admissions before we move on. First, "From the Very Depths" is the first new album from Venom that I have heard in it's entirety since 1984's "At War with Satan". Sure, I've heard my fair share of misc. Venom songs along the way and I've had other album's from this N.W.O.B.H.M. outfit played for me. But, as far as hearing Venom's other albums start to finish and all that jazz? Well, it just hasn't happened. All of which ties into point number two. This CD is actually the first new Venom album that I have picked up since snagging a re-release of 1982's "Black Metal" on CD about a month or so back. It just so happened that I was at my local music, movies and video games store (no names please unless they want to pay me for advertising! LOL!) and on a whim I picked the group's latest release up. Quite honestly I had read mixed reviews for this album before getting it with a trade-in slip, but I had also heard one the album's stand-out tracks in "Long Haired Punks" and I figured "Why not?". As others have rightly pointed out, "Long Haired Punks" exists somewhere between the sloppiness of "Welcome to Hell"-era Venom and the music of Discharge. In no way is that a bad thing if you ask me, but it does stand at the fore-front of one of this album's greatest arguments/chief points. "From the Very Depths" is oftentimes Venom sounding more like other bands than themselves. Or if you will, "From the Very Depths" is not the Venom of old, but rather Venom just being Venom (or Cronos just being Cronos!) and playing music for their own sake with the mentality that definitive and distinct genres be damned! The very cool track that is "The Death of Rock N Roll" pays homage to that ideal as Cronos and company (guitarist Rage and drummer Danté) maximizes the impact that is punk rockin' metal by pumping it up with large amounts of heavy rock & garage metal! The result is spectacular and to me this one number makes the price of admission justified!! Meanwhile we have the title cut of album number fourteen having been made especially for old Venom fans! Insane solos combine with crushing riffs and the over-the-top vocals of Cronos for what just might be classic Venom for the new age of metal. Glorious! With "Smoke" channeling the doom influences of old (Sabbath anyone?) and Venom's ability to slip their other early influences such as Motörhead and Judas priest into this album's mix there ends up being more here to love then hate! Crushing numbers such as "Stigmata Satanas" give hope that Venom has turned the corner while the evil "Crucified" further shows how the addition of guitarist Rage and drummer Danté has really paid off! While Rage might not be Mantas his soloing is still good enough to make a speed metal track like "Grinding Teeth" truly rattle and shake! Yes, other friendly folks before me have rightly pointed out how songs like "Grinding Teeth" and "Rise" bear a slight resemblance to thrash metal bands like Testament and there are even moments when Venom might just be trying to emulate (early) Metallica and (to a lesser point) Slayer. But, for what it is (and thanks in no small part to the enduring growls of Cronos) it's not all that shabby as even a thrash metal version of Venom has a lot to offer for those willing to take a chance! Moving on, "Crucified" isn't this album's only evil-sounding track as the evilness of "Evil Law" is spelled out in the song's title! Even if it isn't all that good it's still a distinctive Venom song which nobody can deny! It's as cheesy as the Venom of old which kind of counter-balances it's overall stupidity! Of the 14 tracks here on album number 14 there are 10 or 11 that are worthwhile (album closer "Rise" being one that I happen to like even if the consensus is still out on it!) with some cuts ("Overture", "Mephistopheles" and "Wings of Valkyrie") simply screaming "FILLER"!  Had Venom trimmed a few of the weaker tracks out of their new album it would have possibly been seem as a bit of a comeback for these N.W.O.B.H.M./black metal warriors. But, even as an album where you will want to have the skip button handy it's still a worthwhile release and I for one do not regret trading for it on CD.


Metal Mark and I talk about Venom:
http://metalmark.blogspot.com/2011/03/nwobhm-wednesday-venom.html

Maze Of Terror-"Lycanthropes" Single

Empire Records
2014

Lima, Peru's Maze Of Terror returns with their new single off of their highly-anticipated new album "Ready To Kill". And I for one couldn't be happier! Covered once before in these very pages (see link below) Maze Of Terror plays REAL thrash metal that is MEAN, UGLY and fantastically RAW! It's the kind of thrash metal that's custom-made out of all sorts of vile and evil ingredients and it's meant to be played loud enough as to cause eardrums to explode and level several square blocks in the process! If this wicked new tune is any indication at all then the new album is going to be one for the ages! You can find out more about these menacing thrashers and hear "Lycanthropes" for yourself by heading here: https://www.facebook.com/mazeofterrorthrash/timeline?ref=page_internal

http://metalmark.blogspot.com/search?q=maze+of+terror

Free Metal Monday: Here's The Metal-October 2014

"Here's The Metal" is a free digital sampler featuring the likes of Exodus, Sister Sin, Fit For A King, In Flames, Decapitated and more. With 13 tracks in all this release from Google Play and Here's the Metal is bound to bring a smile to those suffering the terrible side effects that come courtesy of another Monday morning! Enjoy!




https://play.google.com/store/music/album/Various_Artists_Here_s_the_Metal_October_2014?id=Bsheoghp2hxqi67drt3n5wgmp3a

Nuckin' Futs-Slavery

Fair Warning
2014

Active since 2012, Nuckin' Futs is a Barcelona, Catalonia-based act with an additional EP (2013's "Evilution") to it's name. Now, The Metal Archives tells me that this Spanish five-piece took it's name from a scene from in the 2003 comedy film "Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star". I wouldn't have a clue as to whether or that is the case. What I do know is this band features a couple of members with ties to fellow Barcelona' band Bastards. Oh, and they play thrash. As in thrash influenced be the likes of Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth, Overkill, Exodus, Testament, Municipal Waste, Pantera and Anthrax. Their bandcamp page tells me as much although so does their music. And in this case it's all good. Even the Metallica part! This band is not so much retro though as they are a late 2000 band influenced by some greats of old (I'd toss in some Possessed, Forbidden and maybe even Lääz Rockit). The key difference being "Slavery" pays it's due respects to the old-school but it knows it's a modern metal band and acts accordingly. This Spanish band seems to realize that you can't always depend on the past to get you through. New blood is needed otherwise you're just dragging around an old corpse and it's going to smell after awhile! 




http://nuckinfuts.bandcamp.com/

Almøst Human-Ø

Self-Release/Independent
2012

Disregard the original release date of this EP as Almøst Human's "Ø" has been making the rounds once more thanks to Fullblast! PR. Actually, it has been making the rounds since early summer (or possibly even sooner), but in all honestly it was only yesterday that I stumbled upon it and a bevy of other promos from New York's Fullblast! PR. That is what happens when you make multiple folders for review material and then forget to actually open them once in a while! But, I digress. We're not here to talk about my poor organization skills. No, we are here to talk about Swiss metal band Almøst Human and their 5-track debut EP, "Ø". Initially formed in the 90's by guitarist/songwriter Olivier Perdrizat and drummer Rosario Fullone, Almøst Human (a modern metal/nu metal band with keyboard/electronic flourishes) did not get off the ground completely until 2010. By that point in time Almøst Human had become a fully-recognized, alive and alert life force thanks to the fortunate addition of vocalist Ben Pluss, second guitarist Chris Matthey and bassist Jan Peyer. Naturally the self-produced and self-released "Ø" EP serves notice that Almøst Human is here. And damn if they don't mean business then I don't know who does! Armed and at the ready, Almøst Human opens the show with gritty and raw, metallic brainbuster "Living Wreck". At over seven minutes in length this industrialized Ministry meets American Head Charge fist-banger is a full-on feast for the senses! The all-too brief, sample-heavy "Mørning Star" leads straight into "Øbey, Cønsume Ør Disappear" and it's at this very moment that one becomes fully aware of all the various influences that are vying for attention on "Ø" . Emotionally-driven, "Øbey, Cønsume Ør Disappear" is a humbling combination of mid-90's alternative rock, late-90's nu metal, "Black"-era Metallica and Pantera. There's more Pantera to be found on "Nørmøsis" and it's the band's primal instincts to mix in the electronic anarchy of bands like N.I.N., Filter and Ministry that will ultimately make or break them. As "Each Øf Us" (a modern metal take on System Of A Down minus the hardcore raps!) wraps things up one can't help but appreciate what this Swiss act is trying to accomplish even if they do face a uphill battle due to the inclusion of nu metal hallmarks. Still, with harsh and clean vocals mixing things up and the interesting use of electronic elements a band like Almøst Human has more going for them then against them. Øbey, Cønsume Ør Disappear" and "Nørmøsis" hint at better things to come and "Living Wreck" has more than enough fire-power to appease thrash metal fans and those who crave full-on carnage! Should Almøst Human choose to lean more on the thrash metal aspects of their sound I could really see this band making hard hitting metal that would turn heads. The promise is there and so is the talent so Almøst Human is one band to keep an eye out for!

Tor Marrock-Destroy The Soul

Black Vulture Records
2013

Cellar Metal? That's a new one. But, that is exactly how West Wales' one and only Tor Marrock refers to their sound and on "Destroy The Soul" (their second full-length LP since first forming in 2005) it's sort of hard to argue against such an apt description! By combining modern metal with eighties rock and a fist-full of heavy metal's greatest hits (Doom, Black Metal, Thrash, Death Metal, Gothic Metal, Dark Metal and even Traditional Metal) this UK-based power trio gives off a ghoulish, almost otherworldly vibe and then seals the deal with strong songwriting and (even better) a devilish vocal delivery! Said deadly vocals come courtesy of Tor Marrock himself and with the front-man also handling guitars (with bass and drum duties falling on Tarran and Forseen respectively) "Destroy The Soul" is arguably one of the better UK underground gems to emerge from the darkness in some while! Tor Marrock captures the essence of utter despair while drawing the listener ever closer with it's respective spin! "Destroy The Soul" is at times a bit of an oddity while still remaining fairly consistent and (strangely) familiar. How any band can simultaneously bring to mind Samhain, Pentagram, Christian Death, Paradise Lost, Slayer, The Cure and Depeche Mode in one song is beyond me. What's even more of a mystery is how they managed to do all of that and make it sound so fucking fantastic! Tor (the man and myth!) and his cohorts pull it all off like a beast! "Destroy The Soul' was one of the best albums of 2013 and let it seems as if it passed just about everyone by like a thief in the night! If you can track this sleeper down then by all means necessary do it!


https://www.facebook.com/pages/TOR-MARROCK/161843921361

Bones To Bury-Arising Voice

Duality Records2014

Bones To Bury are a young melodic metalcore band. Not just in the sense that they're relatively new to the scene (early in August of 2013 per the all-too brief bio), but also age-wise. Just look at the picture of these young metalheads who range in age from 18- 20!

 

Of course age isn't always the greatest indication of talent right? I mean we've all seen/heard both old and young bands that flat-out ROCK as well as flat-out SUCK. Thankfully these youngsters (who for some reason make me want to "sing" Skid Row's anthem "Youth Gone Wild"!) fall into that first category more so then the second one! In their brief existence they have already played with the likes of Bleed From Within, Polar, Palm Reader, Stig Vanj Eijk, Infinity, Oslo Faenskap and Blood Red Throne and have issued this, their 4 song debut EP. With a home base listed as being somewhere in the "south of Norway" (Arenda maybe? That's what their Facebook page states here: https://www.facebook.com/BonesToBury) and with influences listed as such (Bring Me The Horizon, Asking Alexandria, Suicide Silence, Periphery, Meshuggah, Whitechapel and Five Finger Death Punch) the band Bones To Bury did worry me with their genre- description. I like to be honest of course and I'll honestly say that this kind of heavy metal just doesn't move me as much as it is did in my younger years. It's not that I have anything against metalcore (or melodic metalcore as is the case here) it's just that there have seemingly been thousands of similar sounding bands to have come and gone over the years and (along with black metal) it gets hard to tell them apart or pick up on anything substantial. So, that was my fear. I was worried I'd have nothing good to share about Bones To Bury and that there brief EP would be a chore to endure. As it stands though Bones To Bury hit upon some sick notes here on "Arising Voice" and while the screaming vocals were a tad hit or miss musically this one (wisely) leans HEAVY of the METAL side of things and forgoes the usual breakdowns associated with the movement in favor of actual guitar riffing! Ruben Pettersen fronts this band and these days the co-founder is joined by guitarists Jay Caprial (who also handles backing vocals) and Håkon Stensvand, bassist/vocalist Jonas Tellefsen and drummer Kevin Kile. Having hit the studio early this year with Simen Sandnes and Mathias to record "Arising Voice" the guys in Bones To Bury have manged to make their debut EP one which shows promise while pointing towards better things yet to come. For their age (again, not just personally but also as a band) this five-piece might just make people stand up and notice them before too long. Available pretty much wherever digital music is sold (Spotify, Amazon, iTunes, X-Box music, etc.) it's very likely that the four-song "Arising Voice" already has a waiting audience in place (this stuff is still all the rage for a lot of younger males is I'm just going to go by the postings/rants of friends/musicians on Facebook) and as it stands now Bones To Bury has my admiration and support and I'll be rooting for the band from here on out! 

Norselaw-Kingslayer

Self-Release/Independent
2014

The last time we checked in with Ohio's own (supreme lords of the underground metal scene) Norselaw (so named because of it's multi-talented front-man/musician!) we were treated to one of 2013's best album's in "Serpent In The Circling Sea" (http://metalmark.blogspot.com/2013/08/norselaw-serpent-in-circling-sea.html). Since then things seemed to be quiet...too quiet in fact (as those N.W.O.B.H.M. moments (by way of a noise-infused punk metal band) on said album were the stuff that heavy metal wet dreams are made of!) and I had almost given up hope on hearing from Norselaw (the man, the myth and the legend!) again. And then out of the blue I get a CD with a note from the band and my spirit is once more awakened! Up front Norselaw is Norselaw (vocals, guitars, bass and keyboards) and Jaime (drums) and "Kingslayer", which was mixed, mastered and produced by Norselaw(!), is just the latest in a string of well-received (if grossly ignored by the metal mainstream) releases. With "Kingslayer" Norselaw moves on from "Serpent In The Circling Sea" musically (if not even mythology-wise) by way of an (overall) darker essence which eventually bubbles over like some sort of primordial slime! With all sorts of (odd and yet captivating!) colors splashed across the sky "Kingslayer" offers up the likes of Raven, Venom, Cirith Ungol, Megadeth, Jimi Hendrex, Hawkwind, Black Sabbath, Manilla Road, S.N.F.U., Judas Priest, Butthole Surfers, King Diamond and Bathory over the course of this wildly-intriguing album! What's more those varies influences oftentimes come into play over the course of one song(!) and, in a few weird cases, it's like all of those different bands/artists are playing at the same time! It's true that at times it can all be a tad bit chaotic and that on more then one occasion I got the distinct feeling that it would all make more sense if I was to say, uh-hum, "partake" in recreation "activities". Not that I would do such a thing mind you (in case the NSA or, more importantly, Mom were to read this!), but for my readers out there if that's your king then this album could be your thing! For me though, clean-headed (if not necessarily sober!) this one smoked on it's own merits and with numbers that run well-past the 4-5 minute mark this was one album that threw down the gantlet and I early accepted it! File "Kingslayer" under all things METAL and all things HEAVY and by the gods of Heaven above and hell below play this BEAST like it was meant to be played-LOUD and "Kill 'Em All And Let The Reaper Sort 'Em Out!" PROUD!  
http://www.norselawmusic.com/site.htm
https://www.facebook.com/norse.law

PS:
You better believe this smoldering slab of METAL F***ING FURY will be making it onto this year's "Best Of" list just like "Serpent In The Circling Sea" made it on to 2013's list!

Curimus-Artificial Revolution

Freezing Penguin / Svart Records
2014

Finnish thrash metal from a band active since 2004. That makes 10 years in the business and, to paraphrase Megadeth, this group's motto could very easily be "Thrashing Is My Business...and Business Is Good!". With four demos and one other full-length album (2012's "Realization") to their name it doesn't look as if this group plays on slowing down anytime soon. And there's no reason to think that they should. Seeing as the world can always use more quality thrash outfits. Right? Right! Especially when it's technical enough that it never dissolves into runny raw thrash  and it has an ear for melody like this band seems to have. Featuring Adramelech member Marko Silvennoinen (ex-Emissary) on the mic and guys who have played in The Wake, G.O.R.E. and The Moment of Collapse, Curimus possesses all the right skills needed to get the party started! That begs the question then, what are you waiting for?

 

Hellscream-Made Immortal

Self-Release
2013

This 11-track debut album from Hellscream answers the age old question of what would happen if you paired up David "Conan" Garcia (Cage) & Norman Skinner (Skinner, Dire Peril, Tramontane, ex-Machine Called Man,The Consequence of Chaos, ex-Katagory V (live), ex-Imagika). Wait, what? You've never asked that question before? Well now that is weird. Very weird indeed. I honestly thought that every "true believer" had pondered that question at one point or another in life, but here I find out that I'm the only one. Still, do you want to know the answer anyway? I mean since I brought it up and all? Well then, here's the score. Take one fine guitarist in David "I could crush all of you puny earthlings with my god-like humongous arms" Garcia, add in the epicness that is vocalist Norman "Rob Halford has got nothing on me!" Skinner and have then have Stu "The Hammer" Marshall, (Death Dealer / Empires of Edén guitarist/producer) master the 50+ minute slab of power/thrash/speed metal fury and the result is near sonic annihilation of EVERYTHING! Or at least that's what happens after the creepy intro that is  "I scream, you scream, we all scream for Hellscream!" opens things up in eerie fashion! After that evil little moment of an opening it's all or nothing as in (to quote Hudson from the movie Aliens) "That's it! Game over, man! Game over!". Just stand back and await delivery as the pairing of Skinner and Garcia results in track after groovy track of "Speed Kills..." power thrash! Both modern and retro (in a good way friends!) Hellscream are like taking your metal collection of old (you know, from A bands like Anthrax & Annihilator up to and including Z groups such as Zoetrope & Znowhite) and adding modern touches (from song-construction to production values) all while forging boldly ahead into (maybe not new per say, but original nonetheless) exciting territory where one man's voice perfectly suites another man's guitar playing! Hellscream are all that and more as funneled through a supergroup project (only difference is here you don't get any of the big egos that would usually be involved in such an effort, but instead you get all the big riffs and even bigger metal moments!). The only downside would seem to be that, seeing as this is a side-project and all, we could be looking at a one and done deal as both Garcia and Skinner have fully stacked plates in front of them with their day jobs! One can't imagine then that Hellscream, even as good as they might be together here, would take priority over their other projects. For the time being though it's easy enough to enjoy "Made Immortal" for what it is (heavy power metal that borders on thrash metal only with all the added excitement of speed metal!) while appreciating the skill level of both men involved!

Whiplash-"Sword Meet Skull, Skull Meet Sword" Single

Self-Released/Independent
2013

Not sure how I missed this one as it was released way back at the start of June in 2013! Having heard that the band was supposed to be releasing an EP called "Old School American Way, Volume 1." sometime in late 2012/early 2013 it now appears as if that whole idea was null and void! Still, at least we have this single off  of said EP right? Admittedly I lost track of these Jersey guys after their 1990 "Insult to Injury" album. O.K., I actually stopped listening to them after that. Still, when I last read about the "upcoming" EP I thought I'd give the group another try. From what I remember the EP was supposed to be a return to the group's roots. If "Sword Meet Skull, Skull Meet Sword" is anything to go by then Whiplash, which features original member Tony Portaro handling both vocals and guitars, has done right with that promise! This single, having been produced Portaro himself, features newcomers Dan "Loord" Foord (SikTh) and Dank DeLong (drums and bass respectively) joining in on the fun that can be had by blasting out straight-up speed/thrash metal! Old-school thrashers will love Portaro handling of both the vocals and guitars as his voice is just rough enough to give "Sword Meet Skull, Skull Meet Sword" edge while his leads are classic Whiplash circa late eighties/early nineties! From the looks of it Tony's two partners in crime have been backing him up since 2011 and the consistency/chemistry is obvious from the technical beat-down that is "Sword Meet Skull, Skull Meet Sword". My only gripe is at a little over three minutes in length it's come and gone before you really have a chance to sit back and settle in! I'd love to find out what the hold-up is with "Old School American Way, Volume 1.". Is it's a matter of not being able to find the proper label to release it on then why not just go ahead and release it yourself? If the lack of funds is the problem then why not go the Kickstarter route? Considering how much has been accomplished this way on the part of bands (A Sound Of Thunder is a perfect example!) Whiplash could easily raise the funds one would think. Either way this single shreds and if this is what Whiplash could be like in 2014 and beyond then you better believe I wouldn't be losing track of them again!

http://officialwhiplash.bandcamp.com/track/sword-meet-skull-skull-meet-sword

Crucified Mortals/Exorcism-Split 7" EP

Hells Headbangers
2013

This 7" split EP, which features" ultra-clear vinyl with a heavy black splatter"(see cool pic below!), actually came out back in October but I'm just now getting a chance to hear it. Having covered Cleveland, Ohio's Crucified Mortals (their 2011 self-titled debut album, which I reviewed way back in the day, was also released on Hells Headbangers) I was pleased to see that the same kind of 80's Slayer/At War/Dark Angel/Rigor Mortis worship that made that album so much fun is present on their two tracks, "Crippling the Will of Faith" and "You'll Wish You Were Dead". Both cuts are exclusive to this release and keep with the band's attitude that eighties death and thrash metal was the real deal. Meanwhile Germany's Exorcism also offer two exclusive cuts to this split in the form of "Through the Eyes of the Dead" and "Failed Exhumation". And, just like Cleveland's Crucified Mortals, the past is alive and well with this German band's take on death metal. Sounding like they could have been made on cassette tape in someone's garage, "Through the Eyes of the Dead" and "Failed Exhumation" are two down and dirty, rotten to the core slabs of death metal that sound as if they could have easily slipped through the time-stream from 1980 something to 2013! In other words they are simply fantastic! And really all four numbers on this split 7" are just great. Especially if you're a fan of eighties thrash and death metal! You can pick up a copy of this one right here: http://shop-hellsheadbangers.com/crucified-mortals-exorcism-split-vinyl.asp

Forever In Terror-Forever In Terror

In-Demand Records
2013

The story behind Streetsboro, Ohio's Forever In Terror seems to start back in 2003 when drummer Nick Borukhovsky first went about the task of putting a group together. After the band tired out a couple of different names and went about the all to common line-up changes that seem to haunt just about every band out there these days they were finally settled on their current moniker. The rest is as they say history. Well, there is actually more to the story of this five-piece band, but for the sake of time (and seeing as I might try to swing an interview sometime in the coming week or so with these guys who were formed just one town over!), we will just skip a bit of  the who, what, where and why and instead concentrate our efforts on this self-titled release. Besides drummer Nick Borukhovsky, whose skill on drums is never in question, the current lineup features lead vocalist Chris Bianchi, guitarist/vocalist Johnny Burke (who seems to have been the only member besides Nick to have been around back in the very beginning of this group's formation), guitarist Glenn "Glizzy" Moore and bassist Chad Lundgren.  Now, despite this group (in one form or another) being so close to me geography-wise I do have to say that this album is my first chance to check this Ohio act in all their glory! Sure, I've caught glimpses of the band here and there and I've heard sample clips of this group in action, but this is the first full-length album that I've heard by them. As the follow-up to 2009's "The End" (also released on In-Demand Records) this album certainly comes across as a "long-time in the making" release, especially for fans one would think! Of course I can't compare this album to "The End" as I've never heard it, but my first impression of "Forever In Terror" went something like this-"Hell yeah!" which was followed up shortly by "Wow, now here is band that knows how to merge melodic death metal and metalcore just the right kind of way!". Well, alright I do realize that those two (brief) statements might not exactly blow away anyone in the description department, but (more or less) that is what we're talking about with this Ohio heavy metal collective. After opener "We All Die Young" dropped the bomb on my speakers (blowing my stereo into a million pieces thanks to some near-thrash like riffage) the band worked their way through an album that, influence-wise, recalled everything from American acts like The Black Dahilia Murder, Trivium, Lamb of God and As I Lay Dying to some Swedish bands like At The Gates, The Haunted and In Flames. Now, clear your preconceptions of what all that might sound like morphed together as your journey through this self-titled album finds you coming face to face with a band whose technical proficiency is off the charts while, thankfully, never failing to realize that at the end of the day they just want to thrash out! Calling this band a melodic death metal/metalcore then might not be eternity fair as these Ohio natives seem to have gorged themselves on so much more that heavy metal has to offer! And besides that let's face a fact or two. Other then maybe Killswitch Engage (another influence on this group) traditional metalcore is going the way of the dinosaurs and needs a face-lift. Forever In Terror seems as poised as anyone else then to take this scene to bigger and better things! As it stands now this Ohio act might still be flying under the radar somewhat, but with an album like this on their resume now it doesn't have to stay like that for long. Forever In Terror, a band that I like equally from the mellow and harsh vocals all the way down to the mellow and harsh music!, is most definitely recommended and I for one will be keeping an eye out for more good things to come from this band from right down the street!

Trainwreck Architect-Traits Of The Sick

Self-Release

2013 

More metal from our friends up north? Well, you know I'm all for that! As they say, there's no such thing as too much of a good thing (or something like that!) and that's the case when applied to these Canadian rockers and their distinct style. It's Montreal, Quebec to be exact where these guys call home and in this case we have a band on our hands that A) looks more like a rock band as only one member appears as if he sports the long haired hippie look B) features artwork on "Traits Of The Sick" that would lead some to think that this is either a splatter-core album or a death metal one and C) sounds as if they draw their influences from acts as diverse Testament and Skid Row! Officially the group was assembled in the summer of  2009 and, after releasing a 3-track demo in 2010 called "Feed Them Bullets", have just now finished releasing this, their 10-track full-length debut album. Self-produced by the band members themselves, Trainwreck Architect's debut-album was mastered by the one and only Jeff Waters! Even better, Annihilator's main man also makes a guest appearance on the cut "As Killers Breathe". On the number Jeff shows off his signature style of playing with a blistering guitar solo! And yes, the saints be praised and all that jazz, as it is very sweet! That of course in no way is meant to imply that the rest of  "Traits Of The Sick" doesn't deliver. On this album the pair of  Renauld Baril and Raza Ali Khan (the two guitarists of  Trainwreck Architect) carry themselves in grand fashion and can and do stand on their own merits. Their playing is a cool mixture of speed metal/thrash and even heavy rock and it gels perfectly the classic metal approach of vocalist Simon Ouellet. Eric Latinas and Marc-Antoine Blackburn (bass and drums respectively) fill out this 5-piece Canadian band which seems to live by the old adage (and well-loved) "everything but the kitchen sink". The approach these guys take is to smash up thrash (Annihilator, Metallica, Anthrax, Testament), classic heavy metal (Dio and Iron Maiden) and then give it a rock and roll swirly fir good measure! Whatever the case and whatever you choose to call this 5-piece band it's all good in the end. With the versatile Simon Ouelletto highlighting this album with his skills on the mic and a set-list of songs that constantly shake things up this debut-release never gets boring and keeps you engaged until the very end. This is a damn-fine start for Trainwreck Architect and one album that I'm more than happy to put my stamp of approval on!

Black Orchid-Wake

Self-Release
2013


Hailing from Flagstaff, Arizona, which might just make them the most successful heavy metal band to come out of that city (Google sure as hell didn't bring up that many suggestions/names to begin with, but the few suggestions they did have placed Black Orchid up near the top), this 4-piece band first saw the light of day in early 2002. Since then Black Orchid (who are not to be confused with the Gothic metal band of the same name that hails from Adelaide, South Australia) has seen it's fair share of shake-ups with the current line-up featuring Matt Babcock on vocals and bass, Ryan Smith and Steven Haigh on guitars and Stephen Brannen on drums. The group's upcoming album "Wake" has the distinction of being Black Orchid's fifth independent release! That's the true sign of a D.I.Y. heavy metal band although it must be noted that it's not a lack of talent on the part of Black Orchid that has kept them from being scooped up being some record label, indie or major. I'm actually having a hard time figuring that one out (the band still being unsigned and all), but I've been at this long enough to know that when it comes to the music industry the only thing that you can truly count on is the fact that for every good unsigned band that comes along there will always be a dozen plus dreadfully awful signed bands! Let's not dwell on that sad reality though. Instead let's do a quick run down on Black Orchid's back catalog. There has been demos of course, but (as far as full-length albums go) it was after a self-titled debut that the band would release "Confidence In Death". That would be followed by a third album, "Where This Life is Leading", which was produced, engineered and mastered by Whitechapel's Ben Harclerode! Incidentally, Whitechapel is just one of many bands that could be sued to help describe Black Orchid's sound, but we'll get to that part a little further on down. With their new album "Wake", which is due for release on Friday September 6th, Black Orchid sounds more like a younger, more energized and down right hungry band then one that has been going at it for 11 years! That right there say's quite a bit about this bunch as their skilled delivery is perfectly matched by their overall drive. Musically this is a band that relies on full blown RAGE just about as much as they do these subtle, and down-right beautiful, melodic interludes! That much can be ascertained by the group's first single, "Good Intentions", which is streaming here: http://metalholic.com/black-orchid-premieres-good-intentions-from-upcoming-new-album/ . If you've never heard this bunch before then that single is a good place to start. Of course "Good Intentions" is only one track. As for the rest of this album? Influences would seem to run along these lines (all of which were picked up from their ReverbNation page): Machine Head, Soulfly, Pantera, Mudvayne and Hatebreed. All of those bands do slide in (as far as influences go), but then again I picked up on this Killswitch Engage (without the metalcore breakdones) vibe, some Merauder, the previously mentioned Whitechapel (to be fair Black Orchid was around before Whitechapel) and, in regards to backing vocals only (and this was only occasionally folks!), Rage Against The Machine! Taken as a whole this is an album that combines melodic death metal, metalcore, deathcore, thrash, regular heavy metal and modern metal into a (thanks to having 11 years to hone their style!) distinct sound that can only be described as sounding like Arizona's Black Orchid! And thanks to the album's emotionally volatile nature it's also a release that is bound to hit rather close to home for more than a few metalheads. Overall "Wake" feels emotionally raw, honest and, when it comes right down to both it's approach and delivery, brutal. This is one of those rare moments where you can tell that a band has dug deep inside to pull off  an album where their honesty can bleed for all to see. Still though the band, or at least their front-man, is able to sum it all up better so we'll close this review by getting everything straight from the source. As vocalist Matt Babcock puts it (in regards to the overall theme of the new album): "Wake reflects a very difficult time in our lives. It expresses the challenges and hardships we have survived over the past few years. In addition to being brutally honest and introspective, Wake is extremely well recorded and proves that Black Orchid will never move in any other direction than forward. After 11 years of perseverance this album leaves Black Orchid proud, humble, and as hungry as ever."
http://blackorchidmetal.com/