Album Reviews

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    The Ocean – Heliocentric (2010)

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    As one of the most complex and intricate albums we have received in 2010, “Heliocentric” is an interesting release that will keep you guessing what’s next until the album comes to an end. The band does a great job at mixing Post Rock influences with Progressive elements.

    Compared to their previous release “Precambrian”, “Heliocentric” is less complex and shows how the band is consolidating on a sound and sticking to it. This new release does have moments when they use cello, trumpets and other things, but it’s never abused and just complements the music very nicely.

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    Bison B.C. – Dark Ages (2010)

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    Opening with the interesting titled song “Stressed Elephant”, Bison B.C is back with a gloomier sound and a more complex songwriting style that will surely propel this band into Stoner Metal excellence. “Dark Ages” is both more complex and interesting sounding than “Quiet Earth”, the band’s first album back in 2008.

    As a very young band, Bison B.C have managed to get enough buzz around them to get signed by Metal Blade Records, and make an instant impact in the crowded Stoner Metal/Rock scene. Hailing from Canada, the band uses a relentless assault of crunchy riffs through “Dark Ages” that will please even the pickiest followers of the genre.

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    Bleeding Fist - Macabrum Bestia Ex Abyssus (2010)

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    After a creepy as shit intro, Bleeding Fist wastes no time into exploding back to their Black Metal aural assault we are used to. The band starts on a high note with “Invocation Into Devil’s Flesh” and never let’s go of us with their Black/Trash Metal sound that only a handful of current bands can pull off.

    While we did not liked “Bestial Kruzifiz666ion”, the band’s last album, we find ourselves enjoying this EP a bit more. Maybe because of the shorter duration time, or something, but by giving Bleeding Fist a second chance, we are discovering an interesting raw and dirty Black Metal band that is decent by today’s standards.

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    Celestia – Archaenae Perfectii (L'arche Arcane des Parfaits) (2010)

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    Celestia is one of those bands that has impressed us since their first EP we heard of them back in 1999 called “A Cave Full Of Bats”. The band has that raw, brutal and yet melodic Black Metal sound that we wish more bands had. Hailing from France, Celestia is currently releasing their third full-length album with “Archaenae Perfectii” and its one of the most intense whirlwind Black Metal experiences you will have in the last few years.

    If you are a cult Black Metal follower then you should know who Celestia is. The band’s music borders in that fine line of raw brutality and beauty that not so many bands can dance around. On one side of the music you have the raw intensity of the riffing and the shrieks of pain, and on the other side you have that atmospheric melodic aspect that clearly contrasts Celestia’s type of Black Metal.

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    Karma To Burn – Appalachian Incantation (2010)

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    The West-Virginia trio is finally back, with a super-powered full length release 8 years after “Almost Heathen “. The band got back together in 2009 and it’s been rocking the stages since then. Combining groovy melodies with stoner rock influences, “Appalachian Incantation” is a mostly acoustic release (except for 2 songs) that will rock you out of your chair.

    Keeping their tradition of naming most songs with numbers, we get a full scale riff-athon in “Appalachian Incantation”. Each track is super catchy and will make you want to dust off your old guitar and start jamming right away. The band’s music making skills are better than ever and have produced 9 brilliantly groovy tracks that power “Appalachian Incantation” straight into Stoner Rock hall of fame.

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    Lacrimas Profundere – The Grandiose Nowhere (2010)

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    The ever changing Lacrimas Profundere has finally settled down playing Gothic Rock in the last few albums and now we have “The Grandiose Nowhere”, a very solid release that will surely please fans of the genre. The band has only one remaining original member from its legendary Gothic Doom Metal early days, and the new additions to its lineup have shaped their current sound graciously into Gothic Rock greatness.

    “The Grandiose Nowhere” is a very traditional Gothic Rock album, but what makes it stand out is the atmospheres created by the keyboards. This pushes the band’s sound to be darker than other bands like HIM, Charon,To.Die.For, etc., and makes their music more appealing to the pure Gothic Metal fans.

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    Nightbringer – Apocalypse Sun (2010)

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    Hailing from Colorado, we have one of the most enigmatic and brutal raw Black Metal bands to have ever been formed on American soil. “Apocalypse Sun” is the band’s second full-length album and it’s a bestial release that surpasses anything the band has ever put out before.

    The overall band’s highly esoteric image is greatly portrayed in this brutal release that will leave you thirsty for more. Featuring ten tracks of pure destructive Black Metal, Nightbringer is about to take a big step out of the underground with the monumental “Apocalypse Sun”.

    • Posted By: Dark Emperor
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    Beissert – The Pusher (2010)

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    Coming from Agonia records in late May we have Beissert’s sophomore release called “The Pusher”. Never knowing what to expect from this label we ventured into discovering what Beissert was all about, and we love it, the band combines influences from Crowbar, Pantera, Nevermore and tons of other bands in a rocking way that will leave you speechless.

    Beissert is probably one of the freshest sounding bands that we have heard in quite a while. After several listens to this album, the melodies behind the songs are stuck in our heads, something that does not happen quite often. The band has a very groovy and bombastic rocking sound that will have you headbanging from start to end.

    • Posted By: Dark Emperor
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    Nefarium – Ad Discipulum (2010)

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    There have been plenty of Black Metal releases in the last few months, but none of them stick out the way “Ad Discipulum” does. Nefarium is a Black Metal band hailing from Italy, and they have clear Swedish BM influences in their sound. Featuring Garghuf from Enthroned fame, you know you are in for an intense trip down to hell with “Ad Discipulum”.

    For all of you that are tired of watered down BM releases, Nefarium is here to blow you away with this no holds barred album that will surely be on many top 10 Black Metal albums list in 2010. The band captures the Swedish BM essence with perfection and brings it upon us in the most furious way to every come out of Italy.

    • Posted By: Dark Emperor
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    Ufomammut – Eve (2010)

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    Every single time that Ufomammut has released an album and we have heard it, it has taken a bit to fully sink and be appreciated. All 6 full-length releases from this Italian trio push the boundaries of madness and Psychedelic Doom Metal, leaving them a few miles away from the competition.

    “Eve” marks the band’s 6th release and it’s a 45 minute one-track divided in 5 movements’ behemoth. You can truly note the level of genius/insanity behind such a crushing release that will leave you thinking for a while. The band has a great ability in creating exploratory voyages into their twisted minds in every single one of their releases.

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